Appeal after 'desecrated' Quran left at mosque

An investigation is under way after two "desecrated" copies of the Quran were thrown into the grounds of a mosque in Sheffield.

South Yorkshire Police said Wybourn Islamic Centre on Maltravers Road had reported two hate crimes in the span of several weeks, with the latest incident taking place over the weekend.

CCTV footage showed a person approaching the gates of the centre at about 01:40 GMT on Sunday and placing the prayer book containing "graffitied hateful material" in the grounds of the premise, police said.

Mosque leaders said this had been "the second religiously-aggravated hate incident" which had been "deeply hurtful and distressing to our community".

Leaders said on one of the pages someone had written "This is a human country. Kill all adult Muslims."

Mosque leaders urged people to "remain calm, avoid speculation and refrain from sharing unverified information" and to not allow "an individual's misguided actions to undermine the peace, harmony and mutual respect in a community".

South Yorkshire Police confirmed officers were already investigating a similar offence from 3 September, adding: "We will not tolerate hate crime offences in South Yorkshire."

Officers said they would like to speak to the person captured on CCTV, who is described as wearing black clothing, of slim build and about 5ft 9ins (175cm) tall.

Sheffield Labour MP Louise Haigh condemned the incidents, writing in a post on social media: "Everyone should be free to attend their place of worship without fear of attacks or discrimination.

"No place of worship should be targeted in this manner and I'm standing with the community at this difficult time."

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