Greater Manchester Police made two arrests Wednesday morning (December 14) in connection to dumping a pig’s head on the rooftop of a Stockport mosque last Friday.
The arrests came after officers simultaneously executed three search warrants in the Stockport area.
Two men, aged 22 and 47, remain in custody for questioning.
The shocking anti-Muslim and Islamophobic hate crime caused great distress and fear to worshippers in interviews with the press.
Detective Inspector Gareth Beasley of GMP’s Stockport division said: “Hate crimes are abhorrent and have no place in civil society.
“Today’s action sends a clear message that GMP will leave no stone unturned in order to hold those responsible for such offences to account and demonstrates to our communities that hate crime will never be tolerated.”
Days earlier, Greater Manchester Police did confirm that the hate crime investigation was ongoing and encouraged communities impacted to contact their @gmvictim line for support.
Tell MAMA continues to liaise with Greater Manchester Police following the dumping of a pig's head at a mosque in Stockport.
The hate crime investigation is ongoing and we will provide more updates where possible.#No2h8#WeStandTogether#Islamophobia pic.twitter.com/VMjlkPnPsW
— Tell MAMA UK (@TellMamaUK) December 14, 2022
Tell MAMA’s free counselling service is available to those impacted – we provide six free sessions over three months.
As protocol, we also encourage mosques and Islamic centres to keep our safety and security advice in mind.
We will continue to provide further updates where we can.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact GMP quoting 3246 09/12/22. Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Tell MAMA can also pass on information on your behalf.