London mosque attack: Police appeal for witnesses after man struck with hammer
Detectives attempting to track down blue Ford Fiesta and three white male suspects in their 20s
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Your support makes all the difference.Police are appealing for information and “multimedia footage” from witnesses after a man was attacked with a hammer or similar object outside an east London mosque.
Officers were called to a report on Friday that three men got out of blue Ford Fiesta on Cannon Street Road, where they and assaulted a 27-year-man before speeding off in the car.
It took place hours after the deadly attacks at two mosques in New Zealand.
Eyewitnesses told The Independent that a man shouted Islamophobic abuse as they drove past the place of worship and called people attending Friday prayers “terrorists”.
London's Metropolitan Police said no arrests have yet been made and detectives are yet to determine a motive for the suspected assault, which took place shortly before 1.20pm.
Investigators are still searching for the vehicle and the suspects, described as “white men, believed to be aged in their 20s”, the force said.
A weapon used in the attack in the Whitechapel area is believed to be “a hammer or other blunt object”.
Footage shared on social media appeared to show one of the men clinging to the Ford Fiesta’s bonnet as it hurried away from the scene.
The 27-year-old victim was taken to hospital by his friends for a head injury, which was not believed to be serious.
"Officers are in contact with the victim and seeking to obtain an account from him,” a Scotland Yard spokesperson said. “Detectives from the Central East Command Unit are investigating. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and identify any motive.”
In a statement later issued to community leaders, Tower Hamlets Police said they currently had no reason to believe the mosque on Cannon Street Road had been targeted.
“There is no evidence to suggest at this stage of the investigation that the Mosque was the intended target,” it read. "Should the community have any multimedia footage of this incident or any information relating to it they are asked to contact Bethnal Green Police Station.”
Following the New Zealand attack, police officers stepped up patrols and provided security advice at mosques across the UK.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) called on the Home Office to re-open a security fund aimed at providing religious buildings greater protection.
Anyone with information about the Cannon Street Road incident is urged to call police on 101 quoting CAD 3563/15MAR or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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