Islamic centre overwhelmed by support after damage

Staff at an Islamic community centre targeted by vandals have spoken of amazing offers of support in the aftermath - as they released CCTV of the crime.

Hassan Kilik, a voluntary Imam at the Cornwall Islamic Community Centre near Truro, said they had received flowers, money and offers of free repair work.

Devon and Cornwall Police has described the incident as "racially aggravated criminal damage".

The building on Quenchwell Road was targeted on Thursday, causing "substantial damage" to metal entrance gates, thought to have been caused by a vehicle, while a substance suspected to be oil was poured on the grounds and wall.

Kilik said the support had been "overwhelming", adding: "We want to send thanks to the community, our neighbours have contacted us - we thank them for their generosity and donations.

"This gives us strength that we're not disliked. We are here, we are being supported by the community."

He said they had already raised £3,000 in donations for repair work and a new security system, with contributions from across the country.

"All walks of life, our neighbours, have been been coming in and trying to help us clean," he added.

He said people had brought cleaning materials and sand to soak up the oil on the grounds, while others gifted flowers as a sign of support.

Of the CCTV showing the incident, Kilic said: "Obviously, we want these perpetrators to be caught and brought to justice, but we don't have anger, animosity, or hatred towards these people."

He said while there was "no hatred" toward the perpetrators, he hoped an incident like this would not happen again.

Cornwall Council has issued a statement to "strongly condemn" the "hateful and unacceptable" act.

"There is no place for racism, Islamophobia or faith-based hatred in Cornwall," it said.

Ch Supt Scott Bradley, police commander for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "Due to the location of the incident, we are treating it as racially aggravated criminal damage until such time as the evidence suggests otherwise."

Appealing for witnesses, he said "reassurance patrols" would continue through the weekend.

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