Hate crime probe over graffiti scrawled at mosque entrance

LANCASHIRE: Police are investigating a hate crime after racist graffiti was written outside a mosque in Lancashire.

It is believed the offence took place at the Masjid-e-Salaam mosque in Watling Street, Preston, some time overnight between Thursday and Friday. The writing has since been removed. The mosque’s official Twitter account posted a photograph of the words scrawled at the site entrance, alongside a photograph after it was cleaned up.

An accompanying message read: “Before and after... all cleaned up in readiness for the main Friday prayers. Our Mosque is open for all and do not harbour any evil for those who wish otherwise.” Chief Inspector Gary Crowe, of Preston Police said: “Hate incidents and crimes of any kind are not acceptable.

“There is no place for hate in Lancashire. We are making a number of inquiries, including looking at CCTV, to find out who is responsible for this crime.

“We are maintaining contact with the mosque and patrols have been increased in the area. If you have any information or saw anything suspicious in the area last night or in the early hours of this morning, please come forward.” Anyone with information should call 101 quoting log number 297 of April 19.