UK awakens with ten attacks on mosques since murder of soldier Lee Rigby

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Woolwich attack: Number of Islamophobic incidents continues to rise with ten attacks on mosques since murder of soldier Lee Rigby

English Defence League raises temperature with London march

Comments

A member of the mosque in Gillingham, Kent, boards up a smashed window after an attack

Police officers on Whitehall near to outside Downing Street, London, as EDL demonstrators gathered to protest. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2013. Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" and "There's only one Lee Rigby" in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, south-east London last Wednesday. See PA story POLICE Woolwich EDL. Photo credit should read: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, left, went to Woolwich following the death of a serving soldier

Kevin Carroll (second right), co-founder and co leader of the EDL is confronted by Unite Against Fascism demonstrators outside Downing Street, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2013. Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" and "There's only one Lee Rigby" in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, south-east London last Wednesday. See PA story POLICE Woolwich EDL. Photo credit should read: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 27: Mounted police gather as members of the English Defence League march through Whitehall towards Downing Street on May 27, 2013 in London, England. The EDL are protesting what the group sees as a lack of support and protection given to British troops following the terror attack last week, in which soldier Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in a knife and machete attack by two Muslim men outside Woolwich Barracks. A counter demonstration is being held by the group Unite Against Facism as tensions run high across certain communities. (Photo by Peter Madiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 27: Protesters with the English Defence League gesture towards a counter demonstration held by the group Unite Against Facism in Whitehall outside Downing Street on May 27, 2013 in London, England. The EDL are protesting what the group sees as a lack of support and protection given to British troops following the terror attack last week, in which soldier Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in a knife and machete attack by two Muslim men outside Woolwich Barracks. as tensions run high across certain communities. (Photo by Peter Madiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 27: Police officers marshall members of the English Defence League as they march down Whitehall towards Downing Street protesting the lack of support and protection given to British troops on May 27, 2013 in London, England. A counter demonstration is planned by the group Unite Against Facism as tensions run high across certain communities following the terror attack last week, in which soldier Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in a knife and machete attack by two Muslim men outside Woolwich Barracks. (Photo by Peter Madiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson speaks to supporters during a rally outside Downing Street on May 27, 2013 in London, England. The EDL are protesting what the group sees as a lack of support and protection given to British troops following the terror attack last week, in which soldier Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in a knife and machete attack by two Muslim men outside Woolwich Barracks. A counter demonstration is planned by the group Unite Against Facism as tensions run high across certain communities. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

A UAF demonstrator tussle with police officers outside Downing Street, during a face off with the EDL. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2013. Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" and "There's only one Lee Rigby" in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, south-east London last Wednesday. See PA story POLICE Woolwich EDL. Photo credit should read: Max Nash/PA Wire

Police officers stand in front of EDL demonstrators on Whitehall near to outside Downing Street, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2013. Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" and "There's only one Lee Rigby" in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, south-east London last Wednesday. See PA story POLICE Woolwich EDL. Photo credit should read: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

Police officers stand in front of EDL demonstrators on Whitehall near to outside Downing Street, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2013. Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" and "There's only one Lee Rigby" in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, south-east London last Wednesday. See PA story POLICE Woolwich EDL. Photo credit should read: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: English Defence League (EDL) supporters try to reach anti fascist protestors during a rally outside Downing Street on May 27, 2013 in London, England. The EDL are protesting what the group sees as a lack of support and protection given to British troops following the terror attack last week, in which soldier Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in a knife and machete attack by two Muslim men outside Woolwich Barracks. A counter demonstration is planned by the group Unite Against Facism as tensions run high across certain communities. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

A UAF demonstrator tussle with police officers outside Downing Street, during a face off with the EDL. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2013. Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" and "There's only one Lee Rigby" in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, south-east London last Wednesday. See PA story POLICE Woolwich EDL. Photo credit should read: Max Nash/PA Wire

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 27: Protesters display a flag of St, George as they join an English Defence League march down Whitehall towards Downing Street on May 27, 2013 in London, England. The EDL are protesting what the group sees as a lack of support and protection given to British troops following the terror attack last week, in which soldier Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in a knife and machete attack by two Muslim men outside Woolwich Barracks. A counter demonstration is planned by the group Unite Against Facism as tensions run high across certain communities. (Photo by Peter Madiarmid/Getty Images)

Kevin Carroll (left), the co-founder of the EDL, has an argument with an unidentified man who said he was a Muslim, outside Downing Street during a confrontation with the Anti-Fascists. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2013. Supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today. The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square. They chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" and "There's only one Lee Rigby" in tribute to the soldier killed in Woolwich, south-east London last Wednesday. See PA story POLICE Woolwich EDL. Photo credit should read: Max Nash/PA Wire

Lee Rigby, 25, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was hacked to death

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Floral tributes outside the Royal Artillery Barracks, close to where Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was killed, on May 26, 2013 in London, England. Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was murdered by suspected Islamists near London's Woolwich Army Barracks. His family visited the scene of his murder today and left floral tributes whilst it was confirmed by the Foreign Office that one of the suspects, Michael Adebolajo, was arrested in Kenya in 2010. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: A group of people and soldiers gather outside the Royal Artillery Barracks, close to where Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was killed, on May 26, 2013 in London, England. Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was murdered by suspected Islamists near London's Woolwich Army Barracks. His family visited the scene of his murder today and left floral tributes whilst it was confirmed by the Foreign Office that one of the suspects, Michael Adebolajo, was arrested in Kenya in 2010. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Floral tributes left by family members, close to the scene where Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was killed, on May 26, 2013 in London, England. Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was murdered by suspected Islamists near London's Woolwich Army Barracks. His family visited the scene of his murder today and left floral tributes whilst it was confirmed by the Foreign Office that one of the suspects, Michael Adebolajo, was arrested in Kenya in 2010. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: A man holds a wreath as he walks with a group of people march from the scene where Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was killed, to the Royal Artillery Barracks in a show of support on May 26, 2013 in London, England. Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was murdered by suspected Islamists near London's Woolwich Army Barracks. His family visited the scene of his murder today and left floral tributes whilst it was confirmed by the Foreign Office that one of the suspects, Michael Adebolajo, was arrested in Kenya in 2010. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

Flowers and a card tied to a wreath believed to have been left by the family of soldier Drummer Lee Rigby, close to the scene where he was murdered near to Woolwich Barracks on Wednesday, in Woolwich south east London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 26, 2013. See PA story POLICE Woolwich. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Drummer Lee Rigby's widow Rebecca, clutching a Peppa Pig soft toy, joins other family members as they look at floral tributes outside Woolwich Barracks as they visited the scene of his murder in Woolwich, south-east London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 26, 2013. They laid flowers at the Woolwich Barracks where the 25-year-old soldier with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was based, and where hundreds of floral tributes have already been left by wellwishers. See PA story POLICE Woolwich. Photo credit should read:Jennifer Cockerill/PA Wire

Lyn Rigby, mother of Drummer Lee Rigby, holding a teddy bear joins other family members as they look at floral tributes outside Woolwich Barracks as they visited the scene of his murder in Woolwich, south-east London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 26, 2013. They laid flowers at the Woolwich Barracks where the 25-year-old soldier with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was based, and where hundreds of floral tributes have already been left by wellwishers. See PA story POLICE Woolwich. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Lyn Rigby, mother of Drummer Lee Rigby, holding a teddy bear joins other family members as they look at floral tributes outside Woolwich Barracks as they visited the scene of his murder in Woolwich, south-east London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 26, 2013. They laid flowers at the Woolwich Barracks where the 25-year-old soldier with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was based, and where hundreds of floral tributes have already been left by wellwishers. See PA story POLICE Woolwich. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire

A teddy bear bought by murdered soldier Lee Rigby for his son, Jack, sits alongside a family photograph after a family statement was read out by his stepfather Ian Rigby, at a press conference at the Regimental HQ of his unit, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at Bury in Greater Manchester

Rebecca Rigby, the wife of murdered soldier Lee Rigby, wipes her eyes during a family press conference in Bury, Greater Manchester

Armed servicemen outside The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich (PA)

Prime Minister David Cameron leaves Woolwich Barracks in London (PA)

Lyn Rigby, right, the mother of murdered soldier Lee Rigby, is supported by her daughter Sara McClure while the family reads a statement

Police at the scene in Woolwich following the attack

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: People embrace outside the Royal Artillery Barracks, close to where Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was killed, on May 26, 2013 in London, England. Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was murdered by suspected Islamists near London's Woolwich Army Barracks. His family visited the scene of his murder today and left floral tributes whilst it was confirmed by the Foreign Office that one of the suspects, Michael Adebolajo, was arrested in Kenya in 2010. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

Police forensics officers remove evidence from a flat at Macey House in Greenwich, south-east London

A pair of Army boots among the flowers at the area which has become a shrine to Drummer Lee Rigby

Caroline McNiffe writes a message in a book of condolence to Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich Town Hall, south east London

The scene at the junction of Artillery Place and John Wilson Street which has become a shrine to Drummer Lee Rigby

People taking part in the English Defence League march in Newcastle

People leave flowers at the scene at the junction of Artillery Place and John Wilson Street which has become a shrine to Drummer Lee Rigby

A balloon, flowers and a card tied to a street sign believed to have been left by the family of soldier Drummer Lee Rigby, close to the scene where he was murdered near to Woolwich Barracks on Wednesday, in Woolwich south east London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 26, 2013. See PA story POLICE Woolwich. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Flowers and a card believed to have been left by the family of soldier Drummer Lee Rigby, close to the scene where he was murdered near to Woolwich Barracks on Wednesday, in Woolwich south east London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 26, 2013. See PA story POLICE Woolwich. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire

BY CAHAL MILMO AND NIGEL MORRIS– 28 May 2013

The number of Islamophobic attacks since the Woolwich murder have continued to rise dramatically amid warnings from Muslim community leaders that the backlash which has seen attempted firebombings of mosques is being fuelled by far right groups.

As participants in an English Defence League (EDL) march in Whitehall were recorded giving Nazi-style salutes, Faith Matters, which monitors anti-Muslim hatred, said the number of incidents in the past six days had risen to 193, including ten assaults on mosques. The figure compares to a total of 642 incidents in the previous 12 months – meaning the last week has seen a 15-fold increase on last year’s average of 12 attacks per week.

The spike came as Scotland Yard said it had made a tenth arrest in the investigation into the murder of soldier Lee Rigby on Wednesday. A 50-year-old man was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Earlier, three men arrested on Saturday were released on police bail.

Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters, who has been targeted by extremists posting his home address on Twitter and inviting others to shoot him, told The Independent: “There is a significant scale of backlash going on and it is extremely important that it be highlighted. We have been told time and again that the EDL and its like are not a significant issue. But what we have seen in recent days is this sharp increase in rhetoric and then attacks. Our data shows that more than one in three of attacks last year were linked to far-right sympathisers.”

The most serious attack yet took place on Sunday night with the attempted firebombing of a Grimsby mosque. Community elders said the incident, during which three petrol bombs were thrown at the Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre while people were inside, amounted to “attempted murder”. The attack took place despite an increased police presence following an attack four days ago by a group of teenagers. Humberside Police said it had arrested two men and was investigating messages posted on social media which appeared to incite violence at named locations.

Dr Ahmad Sabik, a member of the mosque committee, told Sky News: “I would say I can describe it as an attempt to murder because what we have got was really serious. It was a fire.”

He added that the mosque’s chairman, who went to extinguish the first petrol bomb, had a narrow escape. “The brother who was coming out of the door, it was just a part of seconds but, alhamdulillah, nothing happened and he was not injured.”

The Yard said it was also investigating the daubing of graffiti overnight on Sunday on two London war memorials. The word “Islam” was sprayed in red paint and inscriptions defaced on the monuments to Bomber Command and animals in war but it was not clear if the perpetrators were Islamist extremists or if it was a further attempt to stir up anti-Muslim feeling.

Police mounted a massive operation as up to 1,000 supporters of the English Defence League staged a protest outside Downing Street.

EDL marchers chanting anti-Muslim slogans were confronted by anti-fascist demonstrators and bottles were thrown as lines of police officers separated the two groups. Police, some in riot gear, repeatedly had to intervene to stop the rival groups clashing as the EDL marched from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street. EDL leader Tommy Robinson told the demonstration: “They’ve had their Arab Spring. This is time for the English Spring.”

Referring to the row over Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to take a holiday this week in Ibiza, the crowd repeatedly chanted “coward” after Mr Robinson said Mr Cameron had left the country “because he doesn’t care”. Scotland Yard said three arrests had been made.

EDL members congregated after their march. As one youth was taken away by police, the crowd began throwing bottles at them. One officer was hit on the head with a glass bottle and the mob followed the officers, chanting “who the f*** is Allah?”.

Faith Matters said most of the incidents reported to its hotline since last Wednesday’s murder consisted of “general abuse” at Muslims on the streets or over the internet. A further 47 consisted of threats of violence with another 35 minor assaults including eggs being thrown. Elsewhere it emerged that an attempt by the EDL to march on a mosque in York on Sunday had been met by a show of solidarity from the local community when 200 people arrived to show their support.

When only about seven EDL members turned up, they were approached by mosque members and four reportedly entered the mosque for tea and biscuits.