Stratford mosque damaged in suspected hate crime

An east London mosque has been vandalised in a suspected hate crime, the Metropolitan Police has said.

BBC London understands the mosque on Brydges Road in Stratford was daubed with graffiti but this has since been removed.

The "racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage" is believed to have occurred overnight on Wednesday, the force added.

Police also said the incident was reported on Thursday and inquiries were ongoing, with no arrests made yet.

In a post on X, Newham Muslim Forum thanked police and the council for a "swift response to the hateful attack on the masjid in Stratford last night".

It added the incident was "a wake-up call" and called for politicians to act against what it called "dangerous, divisive rhetoric targeting Muslims and ethnic minorities".

In another post, the group shared a poster with the words "communities standing together in solidarity", with a gathering planned for Friday at 18:00 GMT on Brydges Road.

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