Police investigate graffiti link to EDL after blaze destroys Islamic centre

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Counter-terrorism police are investigating a fire that destroyed an Islamic community centre in north London after confirming that graffiti linked to a far-right group had been daubed on the outside of the building.

Amid fears of reprisals following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London, specialist officers from the Metropolitan police's counter-terrorism command took charge of the investigation into the suspected arson attack at the centre in Muswell Hill.

Police said graffiti reading "EDL" – believed to stand for the English Defence League – was found on the outside of the building, while neighbours reported hearing an explosion in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A large area covering several streets and a neighbouring primary school was cordoned off as officers conducted a fingertip search in surrounding streets. The building was so badly damaged that it was still too dangerous for officers to carry out a full search inside.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jun/05/police-edl-link-blaze-islamic-centre

[Berlin Expat]

1. Some commentators

on the UK sites are of the opinion that the EDL couldn't possibly be so stupid as to tag a building they'd destroyed with a calling card.

However, this is the EDL we're talking about; a lot of these folks aren't exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer. I would imagine that one of their meetings isn't something like your typical MENSA gathering.

So yes - they could indeed be stupid, and arrogant, enough to take credit for their handiwork. In any event, if the investigators indeed establish that the EDL did this, then they should be proscribed as an extremist - and terrorist - organizaton.

[jessie04]

2. I think there is going to be more of this.

From what I heard the murder of Rigby has enraged the UK.

[Violet_Crumble]

3. The EDL are bigoted extremists, and aren't the UK...

There's a world of difference between the EDL, a bunch of hatefilled, Muslim hating bigots who blame all Muslims, and the population of the UK who are rightfully appalled at the horrific murder but don't believe in torching mosques and blaming all Muslims.