After a home-made device explodes near a mosque in Walsall, counter-terrorism officers join the race hate investigation
Counter-terrorism police have been drafted in to help with a hate crime investigation after a home-made bomb exploded near a mosque.
Around 150 people were evacuated from their homes in the Caldmore area of Walsall on Saturday night while bomb disposal experts dealt with the small device.
West Midlands Police said a loud bang heard by residents late on Friday “appeared to be consistent” with the device exploding. No one was injured and it caused minimal damage.
The remains of the device were found in an alleyway adjoining the Aisha Mosque and Islamic Centre in Rutter Street on Saturday by a local man who took them home and showed them to his wife.
The mosque’s imam also took them home later before anyone realised their significance.
Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said: “The force is taking this attack against the mosque very seriously and we have a major investigation under way.
“To that end, I have called in support from all over the force, including the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, which has a number of experts supporting the inquiry.
“Specialist investigators have been working all day and continue to ensure that we maximise every opportunity from the crime scene.”
She added: “At this stage we are keeping an open mind on a motive, but have recorded it as a hate crime. A hate crime is any criminal act committed against a person or property that is motivated by the offender’s hatred of people because of their gender, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.”
Police have stepped up patrols in Walsall to reassure the community, despite believing the planting of the device was an isolated incident.
The mosque is known for its open policy, welcoming people from other religions. A spokesman said there have never been any problems at the venue.
Zia ul Haq, a committee member and spokesman for the Aisha Mosque, thanked the police and local authority for their support.
“We found this suspicious item which we didn’t consider to be very serious or very threatening. but as a precaution we thought that we would call the police and bring this to their attention,” he said.
“They have taken this very seriously and they have supported us wholeheartedly.”
Bomb disposal experts from the Royal Logistic Corps attended the scene to ensure the device was safe and forensic teams spent several hours conducting a detailed search for evidence.
About 80 people evacuated from the area as a precautionary measure overnight were given shelter by Walsall Council, while 70 residents stayed with friends or family.
Councillor Zahid Ali, portfolio holder for public health and protection, said: “We stand shoulder to shoulder together as a community in support of the police.
“We’ve worked very hard with the community and shown that we were there for them when the evacuated residents needed shelter.
“Walsall has really shown its mettle in coming together and responding with calm determination.”
It comes after a number of recent incidents at mosques following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London.
Last week, two men were charged in relation to an alleged arson at a mosque in Gloucester, and an Islamic cultural centre in Grimsby was hit by petrol bombs last month.
Mosques in Braintree, Essex, and Gillingham, Kent, have also been targeted.
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