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A suspected arson attack on a mosque in an English seaside town is being investigated by police as a hate crime.
The front entrance to the mosque in Peacehaven, East Sussex, was damaged and a car parked outside was entirely burnt out after the incident on Saturday night, which has been condemned by political figures and faith groups.
No one was injured, but images from the scene showed large flames and a man who was inside the building making what appeared to be a narrow escape.
Other footage that has been circulated online showed what appeared to be two masked men pouring liquid around the entrance before the fire.
Sussex police said they were called to reports of an arson attack in Phyllis Avenue shortly before 10pm on Saturday.
Chris Ward, the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said he had spoken to police and it was “purely by chance” that there had been no injuries.
Paying tribute to the East Sussex fire and rescue service for their response, he added: “This violence and hatred has no place in our peaceful, tolerant local community. We will root it out and we stand in solidarity with all affected.”
The leader of Lewes district council, Zoe Nicholson, said: “This is a deeply distressing incident that strikes at the heart of our community.”
“On behalf of Lewes district council, I want to express our unwavering support and solidarity with the Muslim community in Peacehaven and across our district. Be in no doubt, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Appeals have been made by the police for anyone with information or footage captured on CCTV, dashcam, doorbell or mobile phone to contact the police.
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Det Supt Karrie Bohanna said: “We understand the concerns this has caused within the community, and the impact that will be felt by the Muslim community as a result. Sussex police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county.”
Statements of solidarity came from other communities and the East London Mosque in a statement expressed its shock at the second violent attack on a place of worship this week, after the terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester in which two people were killed. It added: “We must not let the politics of hate divide us. We stand united for peace, safety and justice.”
The incident was condemned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which said: “Every faith community has the right to worship free from fear. Our country is better than this.”
