:dateline:Detectives investigating two linked arson attacks on places of worship in Leeds have arrested a man.
The 42-year-old was arrested at an address in Leeds last night on suspicion of arson in relation to the fires started at the front doors of the Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque, in Hardy Street, Beeston, and the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara, in Lady Pit Lane, in the early hours of yesterday.
He remains in custody at this time and enquiries into the incidents are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Richard Holmes, of Leeds District CID, said: �We are continuing to progress the investigation and the man in custody will be interviewed about the incidents today.
�We are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries, including a detailed trawl of CCTV in the areas surrounding both incidents.
�We are still very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious at either location or who saw any person or vehicles around the time the incidents have occurred between 3am and 4am.
�We are continuing to liaise with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing team who are maintaining an increased presence in the area and having regular contact with key representatives from the communities affected to keep them updated and to reassure the wider community.�
Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference 1318270739 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Police are appealing for information following two arson attacks on places of worship in Leeds early today.
At 3.42am this morning (5/6) police were contacted by the fire service who were attending the Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque, in Hardy Street, Beeston, where the main door had been deliberately set on fire.
Firefighters had extinguished the fire before it had chance to spread, and damage was confined to the door and surrounding brickwork. It is believed flammable liquid had been used to start the fire.
At 4.19am, police were contacted by staff at the nearby Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara, in Lady Pit Lane, reporting someone had set fire to the front door around 30 to 40 minutes earlier.
The fire had triggered the smoke alarm and been put out quickly causing damage to part of the door and a pillar.
Detective Inspector Richard Holmes, of Leeds District CID, said: �We are treating both these incidents as linked given the closeness of the locations and the similar times that they have occurred.
�While our investigation is still at a relatively early stage, we do believe these premises have been specifically targeted as places of worship and we are treating both incidents as arsons and hate crimes.
�We are currently carrying out extensive enquiries, including checks on CCTV in both areas, and we would like to hear from anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity or seen any person or vehicles in the areas around the time these incidents have occurred.
�We would also like to hear from anyone who has any other information that could assist the investigation.
�Clearly we will always treat incidents of this nature very seriously and will be doing everything we can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.�
Inspector Ian O�Brien, who heads neighbourhood policing for south Leeds, said: �These incidents will cause an understandable level of concern in both the Muslim and Sikh communities in this area and we are working closely with key representatives from those communities to reassure them.
�Although it appears both locations have been specifically targeted as places of worship for these communities, there is nothing at this stage to suggest they are part of any wider pattern.
�We have increased our patrols of the area to provide visible reassurance to people living there and will continue to keep key community representatives informed as the investigation develops.
“Hate crimes that target particular communities and have the potential to cause divisions and tensions cannot and will not be tolerated and we will continue to do everything we can to find those responsible and support and reassure the communities affected.�
