Search for hooded figure after defaced Qur'an bearing death threats thrown at Sheffield Islamic Centre twice

“We will not tolerate hate crime offences in South Yorkshire”

Police are searching for a hooded man after a defaced Qur’an bearing death threats was left at a Sheffield Islamic centre.

Police are searching for a hooded figure over two alleged hate crimes where a defaced Qur'an bearing death threats was thrown at Sheffield's Wybourn Islamic Centre, in Arbourthorne.placeholder image
Police are searching for a hooded figure over two alleged hate crimes where a defaced Qur'an bearing death threats was thrown at Sheffield's Wybourn Islamic Centre, in Arbourthorne. | SYP

The incident, which officers are investigating as a hate crime, was discovered on Sunday morning (October 25) at Wybourn Islamic Centre, on Maltravers Road, Arbourthorne, when a community leader arrived to open for the day.

It is the second such incident in two months, after another defaced Qur’an was thrown at the centre at around 2am on September 3.

Now, South Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images of a person they want to speak to over both offences.

Both images show a hooded figure outside the Wybourn Islamic Centre on Maltravers Road.placeholder image
Both images show a hooded figure outside the Wybourn Islamic Centre on Maltravers Road. | SYP
A spokesperson said: "If you can help, you can pass information to us online or by calling 101. Please quote the investigation number 14/187757/26 when you get in touch."placeholder image
A spokesperson said: "If you can help, you can pass information to us online or by calling 101. Please quote the investigation number 14/187757/26 when you get in touch." | SYP

They are pictured wearing all black clothing, believed to be of a slim build, and around 5ft 9ins tall.

A statement from the force reads: “We will not tolerate hate crime offences in South Yorkshire.

“We appreciate the image is not of the highest quality, but we hope it may help to jog people's memories if they were in the area at the time.

“Do you recognise the person in these images?”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 14/187757/26, or through SYP’s reporting portal.

Information can be passed along anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111, or complete a simple and secure anonymous online form on the Crimestoppers website.

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