"This is a time where Muslims come together to observe Ramadan. They should feel safe in their place of worship. We do give places of worship increased attention during this period, as we do with all religious festivals. We are increasing patrols to offer security and reassurance to our Muslim community."
"A man wearing a hi-vis jacket entered the mosque at about 8.30pm on Tuesday when about 1,500 people were saying Ramadan prayers. The man was ushered into an office and police were called after an axe was spotted in his bag."
Darren Connor, 55, was arrested at Manchester Central mosque in Rusholme after entering the building with another man and acting suspiciously. Police discovered an axe in his bag after he was directed to an office. Connor faces charges for possession of an offensive weapon and class B drugs, with a court appearance scheduled for 27 February. The second man was not charged regarding this incident but faced separate charges for breaching a criminal behaviour order. Greater Manchester Police consulted counter-terrorism policing but did not classify the event as a potential terrorist incident. Police increased security measures at places of worship during Ramadan, deploying officers on extended shifts to provide reassurance to the Muslim community.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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