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Blast near Tipton mosque treated as 'terrorist incident' Tipton mosque blast 'terrorist attack'
(35 minutes later)
A reported explosion near a mosque in the West Midlands is being treated as a terrorist incident, police say. An explosion which left nails and debris strewn outside a mosque was "terrorism", police have said.
A number of roads around Binfield Street in Tipton have been cordoned off after residents reported hearing a loud bang before finding nails and debris. The blast happened on a disused railway line near Binfield Street in Tipton in the West Midlands at about 13:00 BST.
There are no reports of any injuries, West Midlands Police said, but streets were evacuated as a precautionary measure. A nearby shopkeeper said: "I did tell the police there to evacuate the area, please for god's sake - there were nails all over the place."
One witness told the BBC that people were "terrified and very scared". Counter terrorism officers have been called in and the surrounding area has been completely closed off.
'People terrified' 'Scared and shaken'
A force spokesman said: "Police have been called to Binfield Street in Tipton this afternoon following reports of a loud bang. A force spokesman said: "Some residents have reported finding debris in the area and finding nails.
"Some residents have reported finding debris in the area and finding nails.
"This is being investigated by counter terrorism detectives and forensic officers at the scene.""This is being investigated by counter terrorism detectives and forensic officers at the scene."
Shopkeeper Sadarat Khan said he was coming out of a local chemist when he heard a "bomb blast".Shopkeeper Sadarat Khan said he was coming out of a local chemist when he heard a "bomb blast".
"I did tell the police there to evacuate the area, please for god's sake - there were nails all over the place," he said. He said: "They [the police] didn't seem to be bothered too much... It took them about 40 minutes to evacuate the place.
"They didn't seem to be bothered too much... It took them about 40 minutes to evacuate the place.
"People were terrified and very scared and shaken"."People were terrified and very scared and shaken".
BBC reporters at the scene were told that prayers at the mosque were usually held at 13:00 BST, but had been moved to 14:00 BST because of Ramadan. BBC reporters at the scene were told prayers at the mosque were usually held at 13:00 , but had been moved back an hour because of Ramadan.
"Residents say the mosque would have been full had the timings not changed for Friday prayers, which would have meant casualties," BBC 5 live reporter Phil Mackie said. "Residents say the mosque would have been full had the timings not changed for Friday prayers, which would have meant casualties," BBC 5 Live reporter Phil Mackie said.
Among the road closures are parts of Sedgley Road East, Dudley Port, Jays Avenue, Tudor Court, Park Lane East, Crompton Road and Victoria Road.Among the road closures are parts of Sedgley Road East, Dudley Port, Jays Avenue, Tudor Court, Park Lane East, Crompton Road and Victoria Road.
Police gave bottles of water to residents with young children who gathered along Dudley Port in Tipton.Police gave bottles of water to residents with young children who gathered along Dudley Port in Tipton.
'Lots of police' 'Day of funeral'
Tipton councillor Ian Jones said he was "very shocked" at what had happened.Tipton councillor Ian Jones said he was "very shocked" at what had happened.
"This has always been a settled community where everyone lives together peacefully," he said. He told BBC WM it could not "go unnoticed" that the incident happened on the same day of the funeral of Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was killed in Woolwich in May.
Mr Jones told BBC WM it could not "go unnoticed" that the incident happened on the same day of the funeral of Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was killed in Woolwich in May.
Councillor Syeda Amina Khatun said she was not aware of any previous attacks on the mosque.Councillor Syeda Amina Khatun said she was not aware of any previous attacks on the mosque.
She said: "The explosion has gone off on the disused railway line behind the mosque.She said: "The explosion has gone off on the disused railway line behind the mosque.
"The whole estate has been blocked off. People are surprised that something like this has happened.""The whole estate has been blocked off. People are surprised that something like this has happened."
Adrian Bailey, MP for West Bromwich West, said it was a "very stable and very good" neighbourhood and that community relations were good.
West Midlands Police are still investigating an explosion which occurred near a mosque in Caldmore in Walsall last month.West Midlands Police are still investigating an explosion which occurred near a mosque in Caldmore in Walsall last month.
About 150 people were evacuated from homes near Aisha Mosque and Islamic Centre after a device was found in a nearby alley.About 150 people were evacuated from homes near Aisha Mosque and Islamic Centre after a device was found in a nearby alley.
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