Stoke-on-Trent: Arson attack on Mosque

Three teenagers were arrested Friday after an arson attack on a Staffordshire mosque – described by police as a racially-motivated crime. The fire began at a newly-built mosque in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, at 6.30am. The attack comes in the same period as far right politicians on the council attempted to force a motion in which Halal food was banned from local schools.

Police detained three men and a woman in their late teens. Firefighters were called after smoke was seen coming from the mosque. Police said they were investigating a link between the attack and damage to a nearby gas main.

Chief inspector Wayne Jones said: "We are treating this as a racist attack on a religious building."

He added: "I am sure the community is as appalled as we are at this behaviour. I would appeal for anyone with information to come forward. Local neighbourhood police officers are meeting with members of the community to keep them informed and to address their concerns and obvious anger about this criminal incident."

The two men, aged 18 and 19, and an 18-year-old woman have been granted police bail while officers continue to investigate the incident.