Written question asked by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 May 2003. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Thursday, 15 May 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action his Department is taking to monitor attacks on mosques in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to monitor attacks on mosques in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [112240] Beverley Hughes: The police are alert to the risk of attacks on mosques and other places of worship, and have arrangements for reporting such incidents centrally. A Muslim Safety Forum, which includes a wide range of Muslim community representation, meets monthly with the police to discuss community safety issues. The Government are fully committed to tackling Islamophobia wherever it occurs. The Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 introduced nine new religiously-aggravated offences, including assault and criminal damage, where the maximum penalties available to the courts are substantially increased if it can be shown that there was evidence of religious hostility to the offences. The investigation of possible breaches of these laws is an operational matter for the police and then the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue. We would therefore urge anyone who believes these laws to have been breached to report the matter to the police.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 112240; 405 c434-5W;405 c432-3W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Crimes against property Arson Government assistance Monitoring Vandalism Mosques
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk