Bedfordshire Police is treating a social media comment made towards Luton Central Mosque as a hate crime, as officers carried out reassurance patrols this week.
Writing on Facebook, the community policing team for Luton confirmed that the comment occurred on Wednesday (19 June), adding that “Officers have attended the Mosque and engaged with representatives to offer assurances that the matter will be investigated thoroughly.”
Local community officers provided high-visibility patrols locally.
Luton Town Council stated their strong condemnation online, posting on Facebook: “Luton is no place for hate. We strongly condemn any form of hate crime in our town and stand united with all our communities to combat and stamp out prejudice and hatred.”
Tell MAMA will liaise with the police further and aims to provide further updates where possible.
The force concluded their statement by making clear that: “There is no place for hate or discrimination of any kind in our county. We would always encourage people to report instances of hate crime or speech and want to assure our communities that reports of this nature are taken seriously.”
Anyone with information can speak to the police via 101 or online, quoting the reference 40/33695/24. Tell MAMA can forward information anonymously or on your behalf if requested.