On Monday evening, a man walking home from the Dudley Road mosque in Birmingham was set on fire by a male suspect. The victim was approached by the suspect who sprayed him with an unknown substance before setting his jacket alight, causing burns to his face. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. West Midlands Police is leading the investigation with support from the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), and a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Chief Superintendent Richard North, Commander at Birmingham police, has stated that officers are working to establish what happened and who is responsible. He also urged the community to work with the police and avoid speculation at this stage. The police are examining CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses, and extra officers have been patrolling the area to provide reassurance.
The police are also looking into whether a similar attack in West London last month, where an 82-year-old man was set on fire outside a mosque, is linked. The Metropolitan Police previously said the London victim was set alight as he left the West London Islamic Centre at Singapore Road in the Ealing borough on February 27.
The police investigation continues with support from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU because of their specialist capabilities to help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officers are patrolling the local area to reassure people, and local faith establishments are being visited to keep them informed.
