Authorities have apprehended a second individual in connection with an incident at a mosque in the UK.
Police responded to Manchester Central Mosque on Upper Park Road in Victoria Park, Rusholme, on Tuesday evening after receiving reports of two men entering the premises and behaving suspiciously.
A man in his twenties has been taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a section 18 assault, which involves causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as confirmed by a spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in a recent update. He is currently being held for questioning by the police.
The initial suspect, who allegedly claimed to be at the mosque for maintenance work, was found with an axe in his bag, according to an earlier statement from a GMP spokesperson. The man in his fifties was arrested at the mosque on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possessing class B drugs, and he remains in custody as of Thursday.
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Assistant Chief Constable John Webster of GMP stated, “Our investigation has progressed swiftly, leading to the arrest of the remaining suspect this morning. Interviews with him will be conducted today by detectives.
“We are taking this incident seriously and have been granted additional time by the courts to question the first suspect thoroughly, allowing us to explore all potential leads.”
Concerned individuals are encouraged to report any information to the police via 101 or through the LiveChat feature on the GMP website. Alternatively, details can be shared anonymously with the charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website.
GMP has clarified that the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related but is collaborating with Counter Terrorism Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
Keir Starmer expressed his apprehension about the incident on Wednesday morning, acknowledging the worry it may cause Muslim communities, particularly during the peaceful and reflective period of Ramadan. He extended his gratitude to the volunteers and emergency services for their prompt response.
In a released statement, the mosque highlighted the escalating threats and hostilities faced by the Muslim community in the UK in recent years. The surge in Islamophobic incidents is of grave concern, emphasizing the urgent need for increased resources to address this mounting risk.
“We will continue to collaborate fully with the authorities and advise all mosque attendees to remain vigilant. It is recommended to travel in groups when possible and ensure children are not left unattended.
“The timely and responsible actions of our volunteers played a pivotal role in managing the situation. Their intervention was crucial in averting potentially severe consequences.”
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