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| Walsall Aisha Mosque bomb: Police terrorism unit called | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A bomb found at a mosque in Walsall is being investigated by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit. | A bomb found at a mosque in Walsall is being investigated by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit. |
| A package, later confirmed as a bomb, was found in an alleyway beside Aisha Mosque on Friday by a member of the public. | |
| Residents of Rutter Street reported later they had heard a bang "like a firework" on Friday evening. | Residents of Rutter Street reported later they had heard a bang "like a firework" on Friday evening. |
| Police were not called until the package was taken into the mosque on Saturday evening. | Police were not called until the package was taken into the mosque on Saturday evening. |
| The suspected explosion had caused minor damage and no injuries. | The suspected explosion had caused minor damage and no injuries. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said terrorism experts and specialist investigators had been called in to support the inquiry. | Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said terrorism experts and specialist investigators had been called in to support the inquiry. |
| She said: "The force is taking this attack against the mosque very seriously and we have a major investigation under way. | She said: "The force is taking this attack against the mosque very seriously and we have a major investigation under way. |
| "At this stage we are keeping an open mind on a motive. | "At this stage we are keeping an open mind on a motive. |
| "There is no evidence or intelligence to suggest that this is an act of terrorism." | "There is no evidence or intelligence to suggest that this is an act of terrorism." |
| 'Beautiful relationships' | 'Beautiful relationships' |
| West Midlands Police said it was believed to be an isolated incident but patrols have been increased for public reassurance. | West Midlands Police said it was believed to be an isolated incident but patrols have been increased for public reassurance. |
| Ziaul Haq, from Aisha Mosque, said he was grateful police were "taking this seriously" and "investigating thoroughly". | |
| "We have beautiful relationships with the local community and we've never had any trouble at all at our mosque. | "We have beautiful relationships with the local community and we've never had any trouble at all at our mosque. |
| "We are not too worried about this and we have every confidence in the police", he added. | "We are not too worried about this and we have every confidence in the police", he added. |
| About 150 people were evacuated from homes in the Caldmore area around the mosque while initial police investigations were undertaken. | About 150 people were evacuated from homes in the Caldmore area around the mosque while initial police investigations were undertaken. |
| Worshippers were allowed to return to the mosque for prayers on Sunday afternoon. | Worshippers were allowed to return to the mosque for prayers on Sunday afternoon. |
| Zahid Ali, cabinet member for public protection at Walsall Council, said: "We stand shoulder to shoulder together as a community in support of the police. | Zahid Ali, cabinet member for public protection at Walsall Council, said: "We stand shoulder to shoulder together as a community in support of the police. |
| "Walsall has really shown its mettle in coming together and responding with calm determination." | "Walsall has really shown its mettle in coming together and responding with calm determination." |