Police are hunting for two men and appealing for information after an Islamic Centre in Essex was vandalised overnight with graffiti intended to intimidate, amid a sharp rise in far-right harassment of the UK’s Muslim community.
Local Essex police have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to after vandalism at Basildon’s Islamic Centre around 11pm Thursday night.
The words “Christ is King” and “This is England” was found sprayed in red paint across the walls of the centre along with a red England flag cross.
Following the incident, local Labour Party council leader Gavin Callaghan condemned the shameful vandalism by “cowardly scumbags” on X.
“The vandalism at the South Essex Islamic Centre is a disgrace. Don’t dress it up. Don’t excuse it. It’s scum behaviour, and it shames our town.
“How many of these cowards will be in church on Sunday? None. If they were, they might hear: ‘Do unto others as you would have done unto you.’ ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ This isn’t Christian. It isn’t patriotic. It isn’t brave. It’s just pathetic, criminal cowardice. If you love your country, you don’t behave like a scumbag.”
A clean up effort has been launched with the graffiti already totally erased by local volunteers.
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Callaghan declared on X: “A huge thank you to Basildon Councillors & Officers who attending the South Essex Islamic Trust this morning to help clear the paint off the walls ahead of Friday prayers. Basildon has shown that these scumbags don’t act/speak for us. The police have clear images too.”
Police have revealed the images of the suspects involved and a description to help identify them.
One is described as white, in his 30s, with a moustache, and of muscular build, wearing black trousers, and a grey sleeveless Lonsdale Jumper.
The second is described as white, around 6ft 3ins tall, slim, and wearing grey shorts, a grey hoodie, black socks and white trainers.
A spokesman for the force said: “We’re investigating the matter as a racially aggravated criminal damage. If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
“You can send information to the Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Team: [email protected]. Please quote the crime reference number 42/124460/25.”
A report can also be submitted online using the Live Chat service available on Essex Police’s website. Visit esxpol.uk/7mkDA to find out more about the online reporting services.
To make an anonymous report, contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
