Knife Pulled in Racist Attack on Families Outside Portsmouth Mosque

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a knife in a public place after allegedly hurling racist abuse at families praying outside a mosque in Portsmouth, punching one man in the chest and pulling a knife when asked to leave. 

On the evening of Sunday 31 August, a man approached Portsmouth Jami Mosque and Islamic Centre, situated opposite a local primary school. He reportedly shouted racial abuse at a group of men, women and children – including a toddler – who were praying outside the mosque. 

A member of the group asked the man to leave them alone and was reportedly punched in the chest. The man then pulled out a large knife and menaced two men from the group with it. Portsmouth police have confirmed that an investigation has been launched, and a knife located in the area has been seized by police. No one was seriously injured during the incident.

A video added to the community group post shows a white man with a full beard, wearing a light-coloured sweatshirt and black shorts, brandishing a large knife with a long blade. He can be seen shouting and swearing at two men who attempt to calm him down. At one point, the man holding the knife appears to hurl it away and then, towards the end of the clip, he is led away by one of the men who are attempting to diffuse the situation. 

The incident was first reported in a Facebook community group post by local resident Shak Miah. Miah reported that the man made threats to kill all Muslims and to burn down the mosque, and was shouting at people to “go back where they came from”. 

Miah wrote in ‘Spotted Pompey’: “These attacks are becoming too common as the far-right carry out their protests. Everyone please be safe!”

A Portsmouth police spokesperson said: “We are aware of a video that is circulating on social media platforms in regards to a racially aggravated assault on Victoria Road North yesterday. We are also aware that people are speculating on the circumstances and that some of this information is inaccurate.

“As such, we would like to dispel any misinformation and clarify the reported account of events. We were called to a report that just before 9:30pm on Sunday 31 August, a man was being racially abusive to a small group of men, women and children who were praying outside of the Jami Mosque.

“It was reported that the man had approached the group and was being verbally abusive and threatening them. A man from the group asked the man to leave them alone, but was then reportedly punched in the chest.

“The man then pulled out a knife and behaved aggressively towards two men from the group, but reportedly discarded the knife before leaving the area. Nobody was seriously injured during the incident.

“An investigation has been launched and police are conducting thorough enquiries to establish the full circumstances. As part of our enquiries, a 29-year-old man from Southsea has been arrested on suspicion of assault and possessing a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place. He remains in police custody at this time. If anyone witnessed this incident or has any information which could assist our investigation, please report this to us by calling 101 quoting 44250294485.”

The attack comes after waves of racist protests over the summer, with crowds demonstrating outside hotels currently housing asylum seekers in London, Norfolk and Epping in Essex. 

A number of racist crimes have been reported over the past few weeks. The South Essex Islamic Central in Basildon was vandalised on Thursday 28 August, with red crosses and the words “Christ is King” and “This is England” daubed on its walls. Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan called it “scum behaviour” that “shames our town”. The timing of the attack – before Friday prayers – was cited by Callaghan as “no coincidence” and targeted intimidation. 

On Friday 29 August, the Dragon House Chinese takeaway in York was vandalised with the spray painted words “go home” and the St George’s cross. The owners of the takeaway thanked members of the local community today who rallied around to clean it off. 

A social media campaign known as #OperationRaisetheColours has also seen people hanging the England flag and Union Jack on motorway bridges and lampposts, and spray painting red crosses on roundabouts and road crossings. The organiser of Operation Raise the Colours was revealed by HOPE Not Hate to be former English Defence League (EDL) leadership bodyguard Andrew Currien, who is now running security for far-right party Britain First. Curien was convicted along with five others in 2009 after a 59-year-old man was crushed to death by a car following a violent and racist brawl.