Suspect detained for Birmingham mosque attacks under Mental Health Act

A man has been detained in connection with attacks on five Birmingham mosques under the Mental Health Act.

The 34-year-old man from Perry Barr was arrested on Friday 22 March when he handed himself into a police station in the city.

Five mosques in Birmingham had windows smashed with a sledgehammer in the early hours of Thursday morning.

However, at this stage in the investigation police are not looking for anyone else in connection to the mosque attacks.

West Midlands Police do not believe that the suspect was part of an organised network.

A 38-year-old man who was filmed being detained by community members in Small Heath was been released without charge and has been eliminated from the investigation.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward said: “We continue to work in partnership with mosques and local communities around the West Midlands.

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“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.”

A sixth attack occurred on a madrasa in Balsall Heath on Saturday 23 March at 6.30am, but police have not linked the incident to Thursday’s five attacks.

CCTV is currently being examined and investigations continue.

West Midlands Police enquiries into this incident are on-going and officers are asking anyone with information to get in touch via Live Chat on www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or by calling 101.

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