Waltham Forest primary school and Croydon Mosque among seven places vandalised with Islamophobic graffiti

Seven Muslim centres were targeted with horrifying racist graffiti over the course of two weeks
-Credit:Getty


Seven London Muslim centres have been defaced with racist graffiti in two weeks. The mosques, community centres, and primary school, in South and East London, saw slurs - including bilge surrounding Muslim communities being paedophiles, and death threats for worshippers who don’t leave the UK - smattered across their outer brickwork.

The graffiti is being treated as a hate crime by police. The incidents took place between Monday, January 6, and Thursday, 23 January 23, at seven places across London.

There have been no arrests. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, in charge of policing London this weekend: “We understand that Muslim communities will be feeling particularly concerned for their safety following this series of shocking hate crimes.

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Muslim communities pray five times a day and follow a way of life that emphasis sharing and cleanliness
Muslim communities pray five times a day and follow a way of life that emphasis sharing and cleanliness -Credit:Getty

“Hate has no place on our streets, and tackling it is at the centre of our efforts to make Londoners from all backgrounds and communities feel safe. Our local officers will continue to work with community leaders and ensure that a thorough investigation is being conducted”.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 2370/25 Jan.

In a full statement, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police are investigating several incidents of criminal damage in which anti-Muslim graffiti was found daubed on mosques, community centres and a primary school across London. Police are treating these incidents as hate crimes.

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"The incidents took place between Monday, 6 January and Thursday, 23 January at seven locations across London.
Enquiries are ongoing, and police are investigating whether these reports are linked, including examining local CCTV footage.

"There have been no arrests at this stage. We are speaking to local faith leaders and have stepped up reassurance patrols in the areas. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 2370/25 Jan."

The seven locations

  • 06/01/2025, West Norwood Mosque, SE27

  • 06/01/2025, South Norwood Islamic Community Centre, Croydon, SE25 5JJ

  • 16/01/2025, Thornton Health Islamic Centre, CR7

  • 23/01/2025, Stratford Mosque, Newham, E15

  • 23/01/2025, Leyton JAMAI MASJID, E10

  • 23/01/2025, AL-BIRR Mosque, E10

  • 25/01/2025, Noor Ul Islam Primary School, E10

Islamophobic attack rate rockets

Shocking figures shock that between 2022/23 and 2023/24, the number of hate crimes targeting Muslim communities rocketed by 12.65 per cent in England and Wales - the highest figure in seven years. The vulgar crimes include physical assault, abusive behaviour, and threats and acts of vandalism.

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Attacks include a Muslim woman in Islamic clothing being assaulted on a bus in east London and told "you Muslims are troublemakers".

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