Police release photos of mosque arson suspects

Police investigating a report of suspected arson at a mosque in East Sussex have issued images of two people they wish to identify.

Fire crews were called to the mosque on Phyllis Avenue in Peacehaven at about 21:50 BST on Saturday.

While no-one was injured in the incident, the front entrance of the building and a vehicle parked outside were damaged according to Sussex Police, who are investigating it as a hate crime.

Det Insp Gavin Patch said: “This was an appalling and reckless attack which we know will have left many people feeling less safe.”

The photos show one man wearing a distinctive black jacket with a Pre London logo in white on the chest.

The second is wearing bright red gloves.

“We are treating this as an arson with intent to endanger life and are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry to identify those responsible,” added Det Insp Patch.

There has been an increased police presence at the scene since the incident, as well as additional patrols taking place at other places of worship across the county to provide reassurance, the force said.

A volunteer at the mosque, who asked not to be named, told the BBC two people tried to enter through the front door, only to find it locked.

They then poured a liquid at the entrance and near a car parked outside, which was set alight, he added.

“It could have been murder,” the volunteer said, adding that two people inside the mosque managed to escape.

Urging people to reject division, a spokesperson for the mosque said: “This hateful act does not represent our community.”

“Peacehaven has always been a place of kindness [and] respect.”

The spokesperson thanked the emergency services for their “swift response” and all those who had reached out in solidarity.

“Your support strengthens us and reminds us that love and understanding will always overcome hate and division.”

Posting on X, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the attack as “deeply concerning” and called for the nation to “stand united”.

“This country’s greatest strength has been its ability to build one nation from many communities,” she said.

“Attacks against Britain’s Muslims are attacks against all Britons and this country itself.”

There has also been renewed focus around safety at places of worship following the attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, in which two Jewish people were killed.

The suspect, who was shot dead at the scene, has been named as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent.

Tariq Jung, chair of Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum, said everybody was “deeply saddened and appalled” by the events in both Manchester and Peacehaven.

He said that, irrespective of whether worshippers were Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Muslim, the “last thing” they should expect was that someone would try to harm them.

“I hope faith leaders and others within the community will come together to try and bring peace,” he told BBC Radio Sussex.

“We’ve got to… support each other at this time of great need.”

Campaign group Brighton and Hove Stand Up to Racism said the incident had not come out of a “vacuum”.

“For a number of weeks now, racist and fascist groups… have been whipping up an atmosphere of hatred and intimidation against black and Asian people across the South Sussex coast with flags, stickers and racist graffiti,” it said.

Chris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, called the attack on the mosque “disgusting”.

He said: “That there were no injuries is purely by chance.

“This violence and hatred has no place in our peaceful, tolerant local community. We will root it out and we stand in solidarity with all affected.”

Zoe Nicholson, leader of Lewes District Council, added Muslims in Peacehaven had the “unwavering support and solidarity” of the local authority.

“Be in no doubt, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you,” she said.