British police investigate arson attack on mosque in Peacehaven

Sussex Police are investigating a suspected arson attack at the Peacehaven Community Mosque in East Sussex on 4 October. The front entrance was damaged, a car parked outside destroyed, and the incident is being treated as a hate crime. It's reported that nobody was hurt.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at around 9.50pm BST on Phyllis Avenue, when two masked individuals approached the mosque entrance, sprayed a liquid believed to be an accelerant, and set fire to the door and a nearby vehicle.

Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna described the investigation as “fast-moving,” stressing that “Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county.”

Local leaders also responded strongly. Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven Chris Ward said the absence of injuries was “purely by chance,” adding that such violence “has no place in our peaceful, tolerant local community.”

The mosque’s representative released a statement saying the incident had caused damage to the building and vehicles, but emphasised gratitude that no one was harmed. They called on the community to reject hate and respond with unity.

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