Press Release by Metropolitan Police Service on Mosque Attack

“Police were called at 00:35hrs on Wednesday 19th September 2018 to reports of a car which struck a number of pedestrians on Oxgate Lane in Brent.

Local Borough Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and two people were taken to hospital for treatment; two of those injured are males in their twenties. Their injuries are minor and one did not require hospital treatment.  A man in his fifties remains in hospital and is being treated for a serious leg injury.

The car involved failed to stop at the scene and enquiries are underway to trace the driver and occupants.

At approximately 00:20hrs Security staff at the Community Centre where Muslim prayers were taking place, were informed of Occupants in a car who were behaving in an anti-social manner, they were drinking and allegedly using drugs. The car then drove near the Community Centre and the Occupants were involved in a confrontation with a large group of people nearby.

Words were exchanged and comments of an Islamophobic nature were allegedly used by the group in the car, and the car then drove off and struck pedestrians as it left the scene.  

Simon Rose, the BCU Commander, will be visiting the Community Centre in due course.  He is also working closely with the MPS Chair of the Association of Muslim Police and Vice President of the National Association of Muslim Police Javid Rana who states that, “our thoughts remain with the Victims, their family and also their friends.  Please be rest assured that the MPS is doing every possible to identify the Suspects and bring them to justice.  DCS Rose and the AMP will be attending the Centre in due course to offer reassurance as we stand shoulder to shoulder with the local community”.

DCS Simon Rose states, “This is a fast moving investigation but we have now identified the car that was used from the partial registration provided , traced it, recovered it for a full forensic examination in order to identify the current owner and occupants at the time. Hate crime in any form will not be tolerated in London. I understand the concerns of the Muslim community at this very holy time and echo the comments made by Javid Rana.  The MPS is very proud of our diverse communities and would like to reassure our Muslim community that this matter is being taken very seriously indeed”.

The Met have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and that hate crime remains largely under-reported. The MPS works closely with policing partners and key stakeholders to investigate all allegations of hate crime, to support victims and their families, and are committed to bringing perpetrators to justice.  

Anyone with information concerning the car involved or the occupants is requested to contact Brent CID on 07747 476 161 or 101 quoting CAD 150/29 Sept, or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hate crime can also be reported through 999 (in the event of an emergency) or by dialing 101 in a non-emergency…”