A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack on a mosque in Milton Keynes.
Officers were called to Hazrath Shahjalal Jamie Masjid and Islamic Centre in Manor Road, Bletchley, shortly before 1am Saturday night (8 March) after reports of a man seen acting suspiciously shortly before a fire was started at the rear of the building.
Officers carried out enquiries at the scene which led to them arresting a man on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life shortly afterwards. No one was hurt in the incident.
The man, who is from the Milton Keynes area, remains in police custody.
Inspector Lee Brace said: “There is a scene watch in place at the mosque at this time while enquiries are on-going and officers will be carrying out increased patrols in the area. Anyone with concerns about this incident should speak to them about these.
“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have information about this incident, or who may have witnessed the event and be able to help with the investigation.”
The Hazrath Shahjalal Jamie Masjid and Islamic Centre was formerly the Plough public house.
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The disused pub’s conversion into a mosque was the subject of an extended far-right campaign during 2010-11, in the course of which the building was subjected to repeated vandalism and there were rumours of a planned arson attack.
Last year stones were thrown at the mosque.
