Cornwall’s only Islamic centre has been targeted in a disturbing overnight attack, with CCTV appearing to show a car deliberately smashing through its gates before two people poured a liquid believed to be diesel or oil around the building. Locals suspected it was a hate inspired incident.
The Cornwall Islamic Community Centre in Truro was vandalised in the early hours of Friday, leaving members of the Muslim community “shocked and in horror.”
Footage from the centre’s CCTV reportedly shows a vehicle being driven into the entrance gate before two individuals enter the premises and pour the liquid across the garden and up the walls.
The liquid, which can been seen in footage shared to 5Pillars, is believed to be diesel, although this has not been independently confirmed. The attack has caused significant damage to the centre, which has served Cornwall’s Muslim community almost exclusively for decades.
Hasan Kilic, a volunteer imam at the centre, informed 5Pillars what allegedly took place.
“Our centre has recently been targeted in an possibly arson attack. At approximately 11:25pm, a small vehicle was seen reversing into the entrance gate of the Cornwall Islamic Community Centre. The vehicle made several attempts to break through the gate. After this, two individuals appeared to approach the entrance. They threw bottles containing what appeared to be oil into the grounds. They then returned with a larger container and poured/spread the substance across our garden area.
“The individuals then left the scene and drove away. The incident has caused significant concern within our community. The matter has been reported to the police, and we are cooperating fully with their investigation. After nearly 18 years without an incident like this, we are now raising funds to repair the damage, clean the grounds and improve security.”
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Kilic said the damage would be expensive to repair but stressed that nobody had been physically injured. Kilic also said the centre had not experienced an incident of this nature for nearly 18 years.
“It has understandably been upsetting for our community, but we are choosing to respond with positivity and unity. We see this as an opportunity to bring people together, reach out to the wider community and build stronger relationships. Cornwall is a welcoming place, and we believe this was the actions of a small number of individuals.
“We will not allow the actions of one person or a small group to divide us or define our community. We will continue to open our doors, welcome people, pray together and contribute positively to Cornwall. If anything, this incident has reminded us of the importance of standing together and reaching out to others.”
The Cornwall Islamic Community Centre is located in Carnon Downs, near Truro, and is the main Islamic centre in Cornwall, used for community support and weekly Jumah prayer services. The centre describes itself as a hub for Cornwall’s Muslim community, providing religious, educational and community services.
5Pillars contacted Devon and Cornwall Police about the vandalism, they responded confirming that the incident is being treated as “racially aggravated criminal damage” and issuing a public appeal for more information.
“Police are appealing for witnesses and footage following an incident of racially aggravated criminal damage at Cornwall Islamic Community Centre in Truro. Substantial damage was caused to the metal gates at the centre in Quenchwell Road overnight between Thursday 17 September and today, 18 September. It is believed the gates were deliberately struck by a vehicle. An unknown substance, possibly oil, was also poured within the grounds and on the exterior wall of the centre. Officers are keen to hear from anyone with information which can assist with the investigation, including details of any suspicious vehicles in the area.”
Chief Superintendent Scott Bradley, police commander for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Due to the location of the incident, we are treating it as racially aggravated criminal damage until such time as the evidence suggests otherwise. Such acts of mindless vandalism will not be welcomed in our communities. I would like to assure local residents that they can expect to see reassurance patrols being carried out today and over the weekend. I would urge anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area at the time, or who has any information that could assist the investigation, to contact us via 101 or our website quoting log no 169 of 18/9/26.”
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.
The Cornwall Islamic Community Centre has previously faced anti-Muslim hostility. In 2014, a man was convicted after sending offensive material and messages targeting the centre and its members. The site is also known to members of the 5Pillars team, senior correspondent Robert Carter visited and prayed at the centre in 2023, meeting and befriending its congregation.
The disturbing incident in Cornwall comes amid growing concerns over anti-Muslim hatred and attacks targeting mosques and Islamic institutions across Britain.
It is estimated that 17 attacks on mosques and Islamic institutions between June and September 2025, including vandalism and other forms of targeted hostility. The organisation has warned that attacks on mosques have a wider impact, leaving Muslim communities feeling unsafe in places where they should be able to worship peacefully.
The UK Government has also acknowledged that Muslim communities are facing growing hostility. Official figures show 4,478 police-recorded religious hate crimes against Muslims in England and Wales in the year ending March 2025, an increase of 19% from the previous year. The Government says mosques, schools and Muslim-owned businesses have been among the targets of attacks and vandalism.
An arson attack at Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex in October 2025, for which a man has admitted arson, and a series of incidents targeting five Muslim organisations and venues in East London, for which a 21-year-old man was charged this week with racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage.
Alleged or suspected incidents include a reported series of suspected firebombing attacks against mosques and prayer rooms in Blackburn, while in July police charged a 14-year-old boy with a terrorism offence relating to an alleged plan to target two mosques in Sutton, south London.
The incidents have fuelled growing concerns about the safety of Muslim places of worship. The British Muslim Trust reported in July that more than 70 attacks against UK mosques had been recorded over the previous year, including violence, property damage, vandalism, harassment and intimidation.
With mosques increasingly being targeted with vandalism, intimidation and other attacks, Muslim communities across Britain are facing growing concerns over the safety of their places of worship.
