Man detained under Mental Health Act after Birmingham mosque vandal attacks
A man has been detained under the Mental Health Act after he was arrested in connection with attacks on five mosques in Birmingham.
The 34-year-old man, from Perry Barr, handed himself into Birmingham police station on Friday and was being questioned by detectives on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said this afternoon(23) that the man had been detained under the Mental Health Act and at this stage they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attacks on Thursday.
They added that their investigations are continuing but they do believe the man was part of an organised group.
A second man, aged 38, from Yardley, has been released without charge in connection with the incidents. He was detained by members of the community of Friday and arrested by officers on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage.
West Midlands Police confirmed he has been ruled out of the ongoing enquiry and will face no further action.
It comes as this morning at around 6.30am, officers were alerted to a mosque in Cromer Road, Balsall Heath, following reports of criminal damage. CCTV is currently being examined and investigations continue.
A spokesman said: "At this stage police do not believe this to be linked to the attacks on mosques on Thursday 21 March."
Five Birmingham mosques had their windows smashed in the early hours of Thursday between 1.25am and 3.15am. The mosques included Witton Islamic Centre, Witton Road; Al Habib Trust, Birchfield Road; Jamia Mosque, Albert Road; all three in Aston; Masjid Madrassa Faizal Islam, the Broadway, Perry Barr; and Jam-E-Masjid Qiblah Hadhrat Sahib Gullhar Shareef, Slade Road, Erdington.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward said: “We continue to work in partnership with mosques and local communities around the West Midlands.
“There will be a visual police presence at key locations to offer reassurance to our communities.
“It is incredibly important that we unite together against those who seek to create discord, uncertainty and fear."
Anyone with information about the attacks can call West Midlands Police on 101.
