An arson attack on a mosque is being treated "very seriously", police said today.
Fire broke out at the Wirral Islamic Cultural Centre, Shahjalal Mosque, on Birkenhead, Merseyside, in the early hours of this morning. It is feared the fire may have been started in retaliation for the bomb attacks in London. The building was empty at the time, but one man who lives in a flat above the mosque was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
Chief Superintendent Alan Jones, of Merseyside Police, described the attack as "senseless and very dangerous".
He added: "It is of great importance in the current climate that Merseyside sees itself as one community, and we must be united in our condemnation of those that would target people based on their age, race, religion or gender.
"Merseyside Police works hard to establish links with all communities, especially those that may see themselves as vulnerable at the moment."
Abdul Munim, chairman of the mosque, said: "Firstly we would like to condemn wholeheartedly the incidents in London and our sympathy goes out to the families and friends of the victims. "Whoever committed these acts were cowards, who indiscriminately killed innocent people.
"The Islamic religion is about living with others in harmony, and there should be no connection with the people who committed these atrocities and the Islamic faith.
"What happened here was a dreadful act that could have been far worse had it not been for the fast actions of the police, fire and ambulance services."
Steve Maddox Chief Executive of Wirral Borough Council, said: "I am appalled by this incident - the act of one or two stupid individual people."
The door to the mosque was damaged by fire, and there was some damage inside caused by smoke. The scene was sealed for examination by fire investigators and a forensic search by scenes of crime officers took place this morning.
CCTV footage in the area is currently being watched and house-to-house enquiries are underway.
Officers are looking for two men who were seen in the area immediately before the incident.
PA