Shocking CCTV footage emerges of the moment yob SMASHES mosque window in Birmingham
THIS is the horrific moment a violent yob was captured on CCTV as he smashed the windows of a mosque in Birmingham.
Birmingham: CCTV footage shows man vandalising a mosque
The despicable attack happened at Masjid Faizul Islam on The Broadway, and was one of five Islamic centres to be targeted during the early hours of Thursday morning. The footage shows the hooded individual striding towards the mosque before striking the window of the place of worship with what appears to be a hammer. An investigation involving counter-terrorism officers has since been launched after further incidents took place on Albert Road, Birchfield Road, Slade Road, and Witton Road across the city.
West Midlands Police said they received reports of an attack on a mosque in Birchfield Road at 2.32am.
Officers then attended a second mosque attack in Slade Road, Erdington, at 3.14am.
Patrols then started in areas with mosques and officers came across further damage in Witton Road, Aston, and on The Broadway in Perry Barr.
West Midlands Police, Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said: "This is an abhorrent, despicable act that is clearly designed to create fear in our communities who are actually cherished in Birmingham.
"My message to them would be, come on, hand yourself in, what a cowardly thing to do and if you have extreme views and things you want to say, come and speak to police about it."
The string of violent attacks comes less than a week after 50 innocent people were killed in a terror attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: "Since the tragic events in Christchurch, New Zealand, officers and staff from West Midlands Police have been working closely with our faith partners across the region to offer reassurance and support at mosques, churches and places of prayer.
"At the moment we don't know the motive for last night's attacks.
"What I can say is that the force and the counter terrorism unit are working side by side to find whoever is responsible."
Birmingham mosque: CCTV footage of man smashing windows
Home Secretary Sajid Javid described the attack as “deeply concerning” and has “absolutely no place in our society”.
Mr Javid wrote on Twitter: "Deeply concerning & distressing to see number of mosques have been vandalised in Birmingham overnight.
"@WMPolice are investigating motive but let me be clear - hateful behaviour has absolutely no place in our society & will never be accepted."