Two men have been arrested after five mosques in Birmingham had their windows smashed with a sledgehammer on Thursday, West Midlands Police said.
A 34-year-old man from Perry Barr handed himself into a police station in Birmingham and was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage.
A 38-year-old man from Yardley was also arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage yesterday afternoon after being restrained by members of the Muslim community in Small Heath.
Both men remained in custody as of Friday evening.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward of West Midlands Police said: “This is a significant step forward in our enquiries however the investigation continues into the motive for the incidents.
“We are working extremely closely with mosques and local communities around the West Midlands and this will continue.
“It remains incredibly important that we unite together against those who seek to create discord, uncertainty and fear.”
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Five Birmingham mosques had their windows smashed in the early hours of Thursday morning between 1.25am and 3.15am.
The mosques were:
- Witton Islamic Centre, Aston
- Masjid Madrassa Faizul Islam, Perry Barr
- Al Habib Trust, Aston
- Jamia Mosque, Aston
- Ghousia Mosque, Erdington.
The police said patrols have increased at key locations to reassure the Muslim community and security advice is being given mosques across the West Midlands.
The investigation is still ongoing and the police are being supported by West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.
