Thames Valley police investigate suspected hate crime after alcohol bottles thrown at High Wycombe mosque

The Daily Express and Daily Star report on a suspected hate crime incident at Totteridge mosque in High Wycombe on Wednesday 20 April.

Thames Valley police are investigating a possible hate crime motive after a male youth was seen throwing bottles of alcohol at the mosque while Muslims were inside performing prayers.

Local resident, Mohammed Khaliel, who was at the mosque when the incident happened said that when worshippers in the mosque “looked at the back, a male youth was seen rushing into a car and driving off at speed. Shattered glass and alcohol was spread on the ground.”

“We were shocked to hear the glass smashing and loud bang noise, followed by the speeding off by the car,” he added.

Mr Khaliel said the mosque has installed “a comprehensive CCTV system” and said he hoped it was “just a matter of time” before the offenders are caught.

Mr Khaliel also noted the apprehension among some local Muslim residents to report the incident to the police. He said there was “reluctance from some members of the public to approach the police” over the attack.

Under-reporting of anti-Muslim hate crime is a serious problem with data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales showing that around half of all hate crime is brought to the attention of police forces.