MOSQUES in Warwickshire will see extra police patrols after last night’s (Sunday June 18) attack in London’s Finsbury Park.
One man died and ten people were injured when a van ploughed into Muslim worshippers in a suspected terror attacked outside a Finsbury Park Mosque in north London. It is the fourth terrorist attack to hit the UK in the past three months.
With all the victims hailing from the Muslim community, Warwickshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable said patrol plans were in place to ensure ‘a visible uniformed presence at Mosques’.
Martin Evans said: “We understand our communities, especially those observing Ramadan, will be upset, alarmed and anxious.
“News of last night’s dreadful incident comes on a day when Warwickshire Police has renewed its commitment to tackling hate crime of all types with the launch of a new hate crime strategy.
“The strategy makes specific mention of Islamophobic hate crime for the first time with a direct reference to the Tell MAMA campaign that aims to address and monitor offences against Muslims.
“We will be engaging with Muslim communities across the areas we serve to provide reassurance in light of last night’s attack and answer any questions they may have about how we tackle crimes against specific communities across our force area.
“The thoughts of all of us at Warwickshire Police are with those affected by this crime, their family, friends and their communities.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe added: “I join the many voices across the country today in utterly condemning this latest horrifying attack in London and passing on my sympathies to all those affected.
“It is important now more than ever for communities to remain calm and vigilant, while also coming together to reject the hatred which underpins these atrocities.
“It is particularly poignant that the attack comes on the same day as the refreshed Hate Crime Strategy is published here in Warwickshire.
“I want all our communities to know that hate crime is taken extremely seriously by the police, who will actively seek to take action against offenders.
“Combined with the excellent work being carried out locally at the #WeStandTogether events around the county, I hope it will encourage more people to come forward and report hate crime.”
