The Metropolitan Police released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to after a pensioner suffered severe burns after being set alight outside a mosque in west London.
The attack occurred on the evening of February 27, as the elderly victim, 82, and the suspect left the West London Islamic Centre at around 20:00hrs.
Both men spoke for around five minutes before the suspect doused the victim in what the police believe was petrol before setting him alight and walking away.
The elderly victim required hospitalisation for the severe burns to their face and arms.
Tell MAMA continues to liaise with officers following the attack and will provide more updates where possible.
🚨𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗟🚨
After the shocking attack on a pensioner outside of the West London Islamic Centre that left them with severe burns, the Met need your help
Tell MAMA is liaising with the police further and urge anyone with info to come forward, quoting 6422/27FEB pic.twitter.com/a5aCiodDaC
— Tell MAMA UK (@TellMamaUK) March 10, 2023
In a statement, Detective Sergeant Steven Constable, said: “I know this will be an incredibly shocking incident for the community and we are carrying out a full investigation into what happened. Understandably, there is a great deal of local concern in the wake of this incident and local officers have been carrying out reassurance patrols daily at the mosque.”
The Islamic centre continues to assist the police with the investigation.
Anyone who can help identify the man pictured or provide further information can call 101, quoting the incident reference 6422/27FEB. Tell MAMA, as a confidential third-party service, can pass the information on anonymously or on your behalf, with informed consent.