Greater Manchester Police investigating mosque fire as ‘hate crime’

Tuesday, 18 July 2017 16:00

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have confirmed that they are treating a fire at a mosque in Newton Heath as an act of arson.

At around 11.40pm on Sunday 16 July, police officers on patrol discovered a fire at the NASFAT Islamic Centre building.

Investigations so far have established that the offender approached the premises and forced open a window before placing an unknown accelerant inside.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Walker of GMP’s City of Manchester Borough said in a statement: “People are understandably shocked that someone has attacked a place of worship.

“We are investigating this as a hate crime which has damaged a place of worship used by members of the Nigerian community.

“Hate crime is often under reported for a number of reasons, but people should have the confidence in coming forward, as no one should be the subject of hate and intolerance.”

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