Halal butchers shop in Walsall petrol bombed

The Birmingham Mail and Metro report on a petrol bomb attack on a halal butcher’s shop in Walsall yesterday.

A bottle containing an “accelerant” was thrown inside the Kashmir Meat and Poultry shop in Wednesbury Road, Walsall at around 5.25pm on Monday, 27 June. The fire has caused serious damage to the store and the member of staff injured in the incident suffered bruising but no serious injuries. No one else was injured in the attack.

Shop owner Jamal Hussain told the local paper: “Yesterday somebody came to the shop – and the workers inside saw they had made a petrol bomb.

“They threw it in the shop and the fire started – the fire brigade and the police came.”

West Midlands Police are investigating the incident studying CCTV footage and making door-to-door enquiries in the area. The man suspected of the attack has been described as

“White, 6ft tall and wearing a blue jacket.”

One local resident told the Metro she believed the attack to be related to the referendum result. Mary Walker, 67, said: “I am sure it will be related to the referendum result, I have no doubt.

“I have overheard people making comments to Eastern European residents and Muslims that they should go home now.”

West Midlands Police are not treating the incident as a hate crime saying inquiries are still at an “early stage” and officers are “keeping an open mind as to the motive.”

Det Insp Greg Evans, of West Midlands Police said: “The man was not seriously injured, but it could have been much more serious.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.