THE CHAIRMAN of Bromsgrove Muslim Community Trust has expressed concerns after two reported racist attacks in the town centre in the last fortnight.
And Dr Waqar Azmi said: “We deeply condemn the Isalamophobic attack and abuse and call upon the council and the police to assure the community they will protect Muslims so they can go about their daily lives without fear of abuse or attacks.
“Following the Islamaphobic attack in New Zealand which killed 50 Muslims we are deeply concerned not a single councillor, council official or police officer has been in touch about what they are doing to ensure the safety of Bromsgrove’s Muslim community.
“Bromsgrove is a beautiful town and is a place where people respect each other but there are a minority of people who are causing division and promoting hatred and we want the authorities to take action when this happens.”
In one of the incidents at 3pm last Saturday, two 15-year-old Muslim girls said when they came out of Costa on the High Street a group of men were pointing at them and one of them said: ‘You are lucky we don’t stab you’.
They then went into The Works to get help.
The abuse was reported to the police and officers have studied CCTV footage relating to the incident.
And on Friday before, March 8, there were reports of a woman being assaulted in the toilets of a pub on the High Street between 10.30pm and 11pm.
During the attack the victim said racist language was directed at her.
Officers confirmed the woman, who is in her 40s, sustained facial injuries in the attack and they were investigating to ascertain what happened.
Home Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid condemned the attacks and said he was extremely concerned.
“Such hatred has no place in our local community.
“I have offered my full support to West Mercia Police as they carry out their investigation and would like to thank the staff at The Works for their assistance.”
A Bromsgrove District Council spokesperson said following incidents like this we are guided by the police on what action to take.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said following the New Zealand attacks it had followed national guidance and had stepped up patrols across the force area.
The police said enquiries into both incidents were ongoing and they urged any witnesses to either of the incidents to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
