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Counter Terror police investigating after man set alight near Birmingham mosque

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was set alight as he was walking home from a mosque in Edgbaston Birmingham.

The victim was walking home from Dudley Road mosque, when he was attacked, just after 7pm on Monday.

The attacker spoke to the man, then sprayed him with a substance and set fire to his jacket.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Chief Supt Richard North, Commander at Birmingham police, said: “Our officers have been working through the night to establish what happened and who is responsible.

“We are taking this matter extremely seriously and are using all resources available to us. We are keeping an open mind to the motive of the attacker and we won’t speculate further at this stage.

“We’re examining CCTV and speaking to witnesses. I’ve been speaking to people this morning, and so I know just how concerned they are and that people are after answers.

“We are determined to get those answers as soon as possible, and I’d urge the community to work with us and to avoid any speculation at this stage.”

Extra officers will be in the area to provide reassurance and speak to the community.

West Midlands police is working with the Metropolitan Police Service to establish whether this attack is linked to a similar one in Ealing.

Police are asking anyone with information to get in touch via 101 or Crimestoppers.

Chief Supt Richard North continued: “Our investigation continues with support from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU who have access to specialist capabilities to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We have officers patrolling the local area to reassure people and we are visiting local faith establishments to keep them informed.”

Image: CarlDurose edit of Nilfanion's original wiki artwork, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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