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Counter-terrorism police are to take over the investigation into an arson attack on a mosque in an English seaside town, police have said.
The attack in Peacehaven, East Sussex, took place on 4 October. Two people who were inside the mosque when the fire was started had to flee for their lives.
Two people have been charged with the attack, which was widely condemned and blamed for stoking fear among British Muslim communities.
Muslims and Jews in Britain have both experienced a rising level of attacks.
The investigation had been led by local police in Sussex. But its inquiries unearthed new information, which led to the decision for specialist counter-terrorism officers to take over.
Police would not give any broad detail about what that new information was, but said they were working to establish what the motive behind the attack might be.
In a statement, counter-terrorism policing south east said: “As a result of information and evidence that has come to light during ongoing inquiries, CTPSE has now taken the lead for this investigation and will continue to work to establish the motivation for this offence.”
The mosque in Phyllis Avenue suffered damage to its front entrance, with video footage capturing large flames as a result of the attack about 9.50pm on a Sunday evening, and a car outside was gutted.
Police found that accelerant, used to ensure a fire takes hold and spreads, had been sprayed at the entrance.
Two men have been charged over the incident. They are Ricky Ryder, 38, from Seaford, and Jack Slowey, 34, from Peacehaven.
They are accused of arson with intent to endanger life and have been remanded in custody after a hearing at Westminster magistrates court. They are next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 14 November.
On Friday 31 October police arrested a 69-year-old man from Newhaven in connection with their investigation. He has been bailed pending further inquiries.
DCS Claire Finlay, the head of CTPSE, said: “I appreciate the concern an incident of this nature has caused to those living locally.“
Supt Rachel Swinney, from Sussex police, said: “We continue to work closely with counter-terrorism policing south east as we recognise the impact this incident continues to have on the public.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those local people have who supported and assisted officers with this investigation.”
After the attack Wajid Akhter, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) secretary general, said: “These incidents do not occur in a vacuum. This comes as media and political figures escalate collective blame and deliberate misrepresentation of Muslim communities, their causes and their faith.”
The incident was also condemned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews: “Every faith community has the right to worship free from fear. Our country is better than this.”
