Muslims in Bristol have been racially abused and assaulted following the attempted terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow. The Bristol Muslim Cultural Society (BMCS) has reported several incidents – the latest of which occurred on Wednesday night when two people were arrested outside a mosque in St Jude’s on suspicion of racially-aggravated offences.
BMCS director Farooq Siddique said: “People were arrested outside for shouting verbal abuse. People have had their hijabs ripped and there have been verbal and physical acts against women. There have been three or four incidents reported through the Hate Crime Unit but our concern is that not enough people are reporting it. They just say it’s the times we live in.”
Police spokesman Wayne Baker confirmed that a man and woman were arrested outside the mosque on Wade Street. The 19-year-old woman was released on police bail pending further inquiries while the man is still being questioned by police officers.