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Walsall mosque suspicious item find sees bomb experts called out 'Suspicious item' at Walsall's Aisha mosque a hate crime, say police
(about 1 hour later)
Police investigating a "suspicious item" found next to a mosque in Walsall say it has been made safe. Police investigating a "suspicious item" found outside a mosque have said it is being treated as a hate crime.
About 150 people were evacuated from their homes around the mosque in Rutter Street as bomb disposal experts were called to the scene. About 150 people were evacuated from homes around the mosque in Rutter Street, Walsall, after bomb disposal experts were called to the scene.
The item was found on Saturday night and taken inside by a member of the public. West Midlands Police said it was trying to work out what it was. The item, not yet identified, was found on Friday evening but police were not called until it was taken inside by a member of the public on Saturday.
No threats were made to the mosque and police are "keeping options open".No threats were made to the mosque and police are "keeping options open".
Supt Keith Fraser said detectives were pursuing a "number of lines of inquiry". Supt Keith Fraser, from the West Midlands force, said detectives were pursuing a "number of lines of inquiry". The item has been made safe but police said they were still trying to work out what it was.
The Aisha mosque was set to reopen during the afternoon and the cordon in the area was "reducing", Mr Fraser said, with only three people left to return to their homes or friends and family, The Aisha Mosque was set to reopen during the afternoon and the cordon in the area was "reducing", Mr Fraser said, with only three people left to return to their homes or friends and family,
Police were initially called at about 22:15 on Saturday. "Officers are continuing to work hard to establish what the item is and how it got there but the incident is being treated as a hate crime although the motive for placing the item near to the mosque remains unclear," he said.
The bomb squad ordered about 40 nearby homes to be evacuated early on Sunday. Police were initially called at about 22:45 on Saturday.
'Bang on the door''Bang on the door'
The bomb squad ordered about 40 nearby homes to be evacuated early on Sunday.
At about 07:30 BST police said people were being led from their homes in the Caldmore area and those who could not make other arrangements were taken to Walsall Town Hall.At about 07:30 BST police said people were being led from their homes in the Caldmore area and those who could not make other arrangements were taken to Walsall Town Hall.
Linda Pepe and son Ricardo, who live on Rutter Street, said they were woken up by police at 06:00 BST.Linda Pepe and son Ricardo, who live on Rutter Street, said they were woken up by police at 06:00 BST.
"This morning at 6am, there was a bang on the door like they were breaking it down and the police were there waiting," Ms Pepe said."This morning at 6am, there was a bang on the door like they were breaking it down and the police were there waiting," Ms Pepe said.
"They told us to get ready as soon as possible and follow them to a bus and be taken to town hall and that's all we knew first thing this morning.""They told us to get ready as soon as possible and follow them to a bus and be taken to town hall and that's all we knew first thing this morning."
The force said the evacuation of the area was "precautionary and temporary while a further examination of the item is undertaken".The force said the evacuation of the area was "precautionary and temporary while a further examination of the item is undertaken".
'Very early stage' 'Firework' sound
Speaking at a press conference at the scene, Zia ul-Haq, from the mosque, said the discovery was "totally out of the blue" and they did not know who could be behind it.Speaking at a press conference at the scene, Zia ul-Haq, from the mosque, said the discovery was "totally out of the blue" and they did not know who could be behind it.
He said: "We found a suspicious item which we considered to be serious but as a precaution we thought that we would call the police and bring this to their attention. He said: "We found a suspicious item which we did not consider to be serious but as a precaution we thought that we would call the police and bring this to their attention.
"They have taken this very seriously and they have supported us whole-heartedly and we are very grateful to the police and the local authority."They have taken this very seriously and they have supported us whole-heartedly and we are very grateful to the police and the local authority.
"We are not suspecting anybody, we are leaving it in the good hands of the police.""We are not suspecting anybody, we are leaving it in the good hands of the police."
Mr Fraser urged people to keep "perspective" about what had happened.Mr Fraser urged people to keep "perspective" about what had happened.
"Obviously there are going to be a number of hypotheses around this suspicious item. What I would ask is that we work with what we know at the moment."Obviously there are going to be a number of hypotheses around this suspicious item. What I would ask is that we work with what we know at the moment.
"The investigation is at a very, very early stage.""The investigation is at a very, very early stage."
Some residents told the BBC they heard what sounded a like a firework go off near to the mosque on Friday evening.Some residents told the BBC they heard what sounded a like a firework go off near to the mosque on Friday evening.
Mr Fraser said there had been some reports from the community that there were "things happening over the weekend" but asked anyone with information to contact police.Mr Fraser said there had been some reports from the community that there were "things happening over the weekend" but asked anyone with information to contact police.
Zahid Ali, cabinet member for public protection at the council, said it executed its emergency planning procedures once police were contacted.Zahid Ali, cabinet member for public protection at the council, said it executed its emergency planning procedures once police were contacted.
"We have taken the residents living within the immediate vicinity of the area into the council's civic offices and premises."We have taken the residents living within the immediate vicinity of the area into the council's civic offices and premises.
"We have put in comprehensive support for them, including food and whatever other support they require.""We have put in comprehensive support for them, including food and whatever other support they require."
He said afternoon prayers would happen as normal on Sunday.He said afternoon prayers would happen as normal on Sunday.