Hate crime probe after meat and flag left at Oxford mosque
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70xnzp0ej4o Version 1 of 3. Central Oxford Mosque said volunteers and the Imam had purified and cleaned the entrance Meat, believed to be pork, and an Israeli flag left at the entrance of a mosque is being treated as a potential hate crime, police have said. Thames Valley Police said the items were discovered at the entrance of the Central Oxford Mosque on Manzil Way in the early hours. In a statement posted on social media, the mosque said the pork had been found on door handles and the flag attached to one of the building's doors. The force has appealed for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward. The mosque remains open with police providing support to those affected and officers patrolling the area. Ch Supt Ben Clark said: "This was a provocative act to upset and offend mosque users. "Such behaviour has no place in our community and we will do everything in our powers to bring anybody involved to justice. "An active investigation is ongoing with a number of lines of inquiry that are being progressed by detectives." Central Oxford Mosque added that volunteers and the Imam had purified and cleaned the entrance. 'Dangerous climate' Ian Mckendrick, chair of Oxford Stand Up To Racism, called it a "despicable and cowardly attack designed to intimidate Muslim members of Oxford's diverse community". The group has called a vigil at 17:30 BST on Wednesday on Manzil Way green to show solidarity with the Muslim community. He added: "We hope the vigil will help counter the fear generated and show we are prepared to stand against attempts to terrorise members of our community." He also criticised the "racist rhetoric" of some politicians which he said was creating an "increasingly racist and dangerous climate". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. |