IN A latest suspected hate crime incident, unknown miscreants painted anti-Islamic slogans on a building close to a mosque and cultural centre in the British capital.
Metropolitan police rushed to a building near the North Brixton Islamic Cultural Centre on Brixton Road in south London on Wednesday (1), following reports of spray-painted slogans on a building near the centre.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “Officers were called at around 1100 hours on 1 January…Inquiries are ongoing at this time as part of a full investigation.
“We are working alongside Lambeth council to ensure the offensive remarks are removed as soon as possible.”
The Metropolitan police further said: “Shockingly, hate crime affects people from all walks of life and impacts on communities across London. All members of our communities have the right to go about their daily life without fear of verbal, physical or written abuse.
“The Met does not tolerate any form of discrimination, and we are committed to tackling offences like this as thoroughly as possible.”
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, tweeted: “Disgusted to hear that Islamophobic slogans have been spray-painted near the North Brixton Islamic Centre. @metpoliceuk are working with Lambeth Council to have them removed, but let me be clear: all prejudice is cowardly and criminals will face the full force of the law.”
Councillor Mohammed Seedat, Lambeth’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “Many of our residents fear they are living in a hostile environment. The intimidating racist graffiti on synagogues and mosques won’t divide Londoners, but will confirm the worst fears of many of our residents.
“The council and police will continue to reassure communities. But we also need politicians, particularly the government, to act responsibly in rhetoric and action to quell the rise of extremism and division in our society, whether it is Islamist or rightwing.”
The latest suspected hate crime was reported three days after antisemitic graffiti was sprayed across a synagogue and shops in north London.
Karan Johar and Smriti Irani
