Merseyside Police today (23 April) arrested a man after racist abuse and death threats were made at worshippers at the Abdullah Quilliam Society Mosque yesterday evening.
Officers attended the mosque at around 7 pm on 22 April, and a 58-year-old man was arrested nearby on three counts of racially aggravated public order offences and two counts of using threatening words to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
In a statement, the force noted that those targeted understandably felt distressed.
Reassurance patrols will increase locally in response, the force confirmed.
Tell MAMA is liaising further with Merseyside Police.
Liverpool Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Andy Fielding made clear in a statement that: “This would have been extremely distressing for those who witnessed the incident and heard his appalling abuse.
“A suspect was arrested a matter of minutes after the incident was reported and I hope this shows our communities how seriously we take all reports of hate crimes.
“There will be high visibility patrols in the area this morning and the coming days to offer reassurance to the community. If you have any concerns, please speak to one of our officers.
“Threatening or racially abusing someone simply because of their ethnicity or religion is truly abhorrent and has absolutely no place in Merseyside.”
To repeat: the security of mosques and the safety of worshippers, like at any place of worship, is paramount. We remain very concerned about the shocking racist abuse and death threats against worshippers yesterday evening. There has also been condemnation locally following news of a mosque in Newham vandalised with paint. Tell MAMA is also liaising with the Metropolitan Police further on this matter.
Got information? Call 101 quoting log number 855 of 22 April. Tell MAMA can do this for you, or do it anonymously.