This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-27498772
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Racists' blamed for arson attack on Birmingham community centre | 'Racists' blamed for arson attack on Birmingham community centre |
| (7 days later) | |
| A community arts group that was targeted by arsonists has said it believes racists were responsible. | A community arts group that was targeted by arsonists has said it believes racists were responsible. |
| Ulfah Arts in Highgate Square, Birmingham, said its staff had been receiving "hate emails" for months. | Ulfah Arts in Highgate Square, Birmingham, said its staff had been receiving "hate emails" for months. |
| West Midlands Fire Service said it suspected the blaze was started deliberately but the investigation was now in the hands of the police. | West Midlands Fire Service said it suspected the blaze was started deliberately but the investigation was now in the hands of the police. |
| Police said the motive was unknown but it was aware of a malicious letter sent to the centre earlier this month. | Police said the motive was unknown but it was aware of a malicious letter sent to the centre earlier this month. |
| 'Act of violence' | 'Act of violence' |
| Ulfah Arts said nobody was hurt in the fire, in the early hours of Tuesday but media equipment and 10 years of work had been lost. | |
| Its chief executive, Prashant Singh, said: "This is an act of violence against all young people in this country who are coming together to make a difference, irrespective of race, language or colour." | Its chief executive, Prashant Singh, said: "This is an act of violence against all young people in this country who are coming together to make a difference, irrespective of race, language or colour." |
| He said the group was looking for a temporary office and would not let the fire stop its work. | He said the group was looking for a temporary office and would not let the fire stop its work. |
| One of the volunteers at Ulfah, Sarah Javid, said: "It saddens me to think that somebody is capable of such a thing but it has only made us stronger." | One of the volunteers at Ulfah, Sarah Javid, said: "It saddens me to think that somebody is capable of such a thing but it has only made us stronger." |
| West Midlands Police said it was investigating the malicious letter sent to the group, as a hate crime. | West Midlands Police said it was investigating the malicious letter sent to the group, as a hate crime. |
| Det Ch Insp Richard Agar said: "The motive for the blaze is unknown and although apparently unconnected, we will explore any links between the [letter and fire]." | Det Ch Insp Richard Agar said: "The motive for the blaze is unknown and although apparently unconnected, we will explore any links between the [letter and fire]." |
| He said officers were looking at CCTV footage from the local area and forensic tests were being carried out at the building. | He said officers were looking at CCTV footage from the local area and forensic tests were being carried out at the building. |
| Ulfah Arts describes itself as an organisation that reaches out to diverse community groups in Birmingham through radio, film and arts projects. | Ulfah Arts describes itself as an organisation that reaches out to diverse community groups in Birmingham through radio, film and arts projects. |
| It offers media and arts training and has been involved in local TV and radio schemes. | It offers media and arts training and has been involved in local TV and radio schemes. |
| The group also started a band made up of practising Muslim women, the Ulfah Collective, which has performed with Robin Gibb from the Bee Gees at Wembley Arena. | The group also started a band made up of practising Muslim women, the Ulfah Collective, which has performed with Robin Gibb from the Bee Gees at Wembley Arena. |