London mosque attack: Hammer assault being treated as hate crime by police

Scotland Yard says suspects spotted in blue Ford Fiesta made ‘anti-Muslim comments’

Police investigating an attack on a man with a hammer or similar weapon outside an east London mosque on Friday said they are treating the incident as a “hate crime assault”.

On Sunday the Met said officers had established that three men in a blue Ford Fiesta on Cannon Street Road made “anti-Muslim comments” to a 27-year-old man before getting out of the car and attacking him.

It took place hours after the deadly shootings at two mosques in New Zealand.

Eyewitnesses told The Independent the group shouted Islamophobic abuse as they drove past the place of worship on Cannon Street Road in the Whitechapel area.

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 after the attack.

Investigators are still searching for the vehicle and the suspects, described by police as “white men, believed to be aged in their 20s”.

A weapon used in the attack, which took place shortly before 1.20pm, is believed to be “a hammer or other blunt object”, the force said.

The 27-year-old victim was taken to hospital by his friends for a head injury, which was not believed to be serious.

DCI Sean Channing said: “This was a horrible hate crime assault on a man going about his daily business.

“Whilst there were initial Islamophobic comments made by this group towards the individual which are being treated seriously, I would like to make clear that at no point did the group approach any mosque or congregation in the area.

“There is no evidence to suggest that the mosque near the area was the intended target.

He added: “We are working to trace the three suspects involved and are appealing for anyone who was there or has information to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting CAD 3563/15MAR or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.