A man from East London has been charged with aggravated criminal damage following a series of incidents targeting Muslim organisations and venues in east London, including a mosque and a primary school, in January 2025.

Illia Bilyk has been charged with five counts of racially and religiously-aggravated criminal damage, following an investigation by detectives from the Met’s North East Command Unit.

Offensive graffiti was sprayed on Stratford Islamic Association, Al-Birr Mosque, Leyton Jamia Masjid, Noor Ul Islam Primary School, and Islamic Shariah Council.

Chief Superintendent Rhona Hunt said: “We recognise that these incidents caused significant distress within Muslim communities across east London last year and that they continue to cause concern.

"Anti-Muslim hate crime and Islamophobia have absolutely no place in London. We are committed to tackling hate crime while supporting and reassuring our communities.

"We would encourage anyone with concerns, or who has experienced or witnessed anti-Muslim hate crime, to contact police and report it.”