Suspicious package found outside mosque was small home-made explosive device: Police probe 'hate crime' after 150 people are evacuated

The suspicious item found near a mosque was a small home-made explosive device, police have confirmed.
Almost 40 homes close to the place of worship on Rutter Street in Walsall, West Midlands, were evacuated after bomb disposal experts were called to the scene.
West Midlands Police said they are treating the incident as a hate crime which resulted in around 150 people having to leave their homes as a ‘precautionary and temporary’ measure.

Probe: Forensic officers by the mosque on Rutter Street in Walsall after the discovery of a suspicious item

Suspicious item: Police were called to Rutter Street (pictured today) in Walsall, West Midlands, last night following the discovery in the building's grounds. The item was then brought inside by a member of the public

A loud bang heard by residents in the Caldmore area of Walsall late on Friday 'appeared to be consistent' with the device exploding,

The item had been found on Friday and taken inside the mosque by a well-meaning member of the public, police added.

Superintendent Keith Fraser, head of crime and operations for Walsall Police, said the incident was being treated as hate crime but the motive for placing the item near a mosque remained unclear.
Speaking at the scene, he said: ‘At around 10.15pm on Saturday, police were called to Aisha mosque in relation to a suspicious item that had been found. The force are taking this extremely seriously.
‘We have launched a full investigation into the suspicious item. What's going to be the key to this is the public's help in relation to helping us to understand why that suspicious item was in the area.’

Response: Police, other emergency services and army bomb disposal experts were in the area this morning

Searches: Forensic officers by the mosque in Walsall, West Midlands, surround a Ford car to investigate

He added: ‘Officers are continuing to work hard to establish what the item is and how it got there but the incident is being treated as a hate crime, although the motive for placing the item near to the mosque remains unclear.’
Supt Fraser confirmed that the suspicious item is now safe and is being examined by trained experts.
Police said officers have increased patrols in the area and around all places of worship, although the incident is believed to be isolated.
A 40-metre section of Rutter Street, in the Caldmore area of Walsall, remained cordoned off earlier and two uniformed Army personnel were at the scene.
Police were also still outside the Aisha Mosque and Islamic Centre, including one officer wearing a blue full-length forensic suit, who could be seen taking photographs of areas of interest nearby.
Ali Mahmood, the chair of the local traders' association, said local people had been given no details of the nature of the suspicious item. ‘It's a very big shock for the local community,’ he said. ‘To see the road cordoned off like this is shocking.’

About 80 people evacuated overnight were given shelter by Walsall Council, while 70 residents made arrangements with friends or family.
Viyja Kainth, the vice-chairman of Palfrey and Caldmore Neighbourhood Watch and residents' group, praised the council for helping to provide accommodation to those forced to leave their homes.
Mr Kainth, who also thanked members of the St John Ambulance for their help, said: ‘We were told by the police that there was an incident of a serious nature. The residents were evacuated in the early hours of the morning when the council put in place its procedures.
‘The council did a good job in getting their resources and staff together to provide that service.’

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