Sussex Police are investigating Saturday night’s incident in Peacehaven as a hate crime and they have now released CCTV images of two suspects they wish to identify
Police have released images of two people they want to identify after a suspected arson attack at a mosque in East Sussex.
Emergency services rushed to the religious building in Peacehaven at around 9.50pm on Saturday. Footage showed two people wearing balaclavas and dark clothing approaching the front door before spraying accelerant on the entrance of the mosque and igniting a fire.
Emergency crews from Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service promptly attended the scene and were able to extinguish the fire. Those inside the mosque at the time of the attack were not injured, police confirmed, but the building and a nearby vehicle suffered significant damage.
An investigation is ongoing. Police said one of the suspects was wearing distinctive black jacket with a Pre London logo in white on the chest, while the second wore bright red gloves. Detective Inspector Gavin Patch said: “This was an appalling and reckless attack which we know will have left many people feeling less safe.
“We are treating this as an arson with intent to endanger life and are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry to identify those responsible. We are releasing images of two people we wish to speak with, shown in the footage, wearing distinctive clothing. We believe there are people in the community who know who these two are.
“If you have any information, no matter how small you think it might be, we urge you to do the right thing and come forward before any further harm is caused. If you have any information relating to this incident, please contact us immediately by calling 999, quoting Operation Spey.”
Superintendent Rachel Swinney said: “We understand the impact this will have on everyone in Peacehaven and across Sussex. There is an increased police presence at the scene and additional patrols taking place at places of worship across Sussex to provide visibility and reassurance. We will continue to engage with our religious communities to support them and ensure their concerns are heard and acted upon.
“Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county. If you have concerns for your safety or experience any hate or criminal behaviour, please speak to an officer or contact us online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”
Today, the Home Secretary urged people to “stand united” after the “deeply concerning” suspected arson attack. In a statement on X, Shabana Mahmood said: “An investigation is ongoing, but it seems clear that things could easily have been far worse.”
She thanked emergency services, adding: “At a time like this, we must stand united. This country’s greatest strength has been its ability to build one nation from many communities. Attacks against Britain’s Muslims are attacks against all Britons and this country itself.”
Mothin Ali, deputy leader of the Green Party, had pressed officers to “seek clarity on the motives of this attack” and said: “People were inside the mosque when it was firebombed and people in this community will be feeling frightened and targeted for their faith.”
Chris Ward, the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said in a post on X: “Appalled by the disgusting arson attack on Peacehaven mosque last night. That there were no injuries is purely by chance. This violence and hatred has no place in our peaceful, tolerant local community. We will root it out and we stand in solidarity with all affected.”
A spokesperson for the mosque said: “We are deeply saddened by the shocking arson attack that took place at Peacehaven Community Centre on the evening of Saturday October 4. While the incident has caused damage to our building and vehicles, we are profoundly grateful that no one was injured.
“This hateful act does not represent our community or our town. Peacehaven has always been a place of kindness, respect, and mutual support, and we will continue to embody those values. We ask everyone to reject division and respond to hate with unity and compassion.”
The mosque will be closed until police have completed their investigations, the spokesperson added. Information can be reported on the Sussex Police online or on 101, quoting Operation Spey.