Police have arrested a 61-year-old man in Ealing in connection with a series of Islamophobic attacks on mosques and businesses in Acton and across West London.
The man was arrested on 27 November 2023 on on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after red paint was thrown or sprayed at the locations which also included the Palestinian Mission in Hammersmith, a Syrian cafe and Acton Mosque.
As well as offences in Ealing, other attacks occurred in Hammersmith and Fulham on 12 separate occasions between 16 October 2023 and 18 November 2023
Detective Superintendent Figo Forouzan who is leading the investigation said: “Hate crime has no place in London. Its effects run far deeper than property damage, and the impact on victims can linger beyond the removal of the paint. Officers have been working incredibly hard to identify the individual responsible for these offences and provide the relevant support and reassurance to those affected.”
He added: “The victims are being supported by dedicated faith officers, and neighbourhood teams have changed their patrol times and routes to provide additional reassurance.”
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Ealing Council leader Councillor Peter Mason said: “@EalingCouncil have been supporting both the Met and our local mosques in the investigation, and to help secure community facilities. We hosted the leadership of the Acton Central Mosque at the council’s CCTV control room last week to review footage of recent incidents, and to demonstrate the coverage of our CCTV network, amongst the largest in the country. Commit a crime and you will be caught.”
Source: EALING.NEWS
