Police investigate mosque fire in Peacehaven as a hate crime

In the UK, specifically Peacehaven near Brighton, a mosque was set ablaze on the evening of October 5, 2025, in what authorities are treating as a hate crime. Two suspects reportedly approached the mosque with gasoline and attempted to force the entrance open while two elderly men were inside. The fire damaged both the mosque and a vehicle parked outside. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, but the emotional impact on the Muslim community has been significant, as many residents reported feeling unsafe and fearful following the incident. This attack aligns with a disturbing trend of increased violence against minority groups in the region. The mosque had been serving a small congregation of about 10 to 15 worshippers since its opening four years ago. The chairman of the mosque, who is a local taxi driver, and a fellow worshipper were inside the mosque when the fire was set. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the suspects were deliberately targeting the mosque, indicating a calculated attack against the Muslim community rather than random vandalism. In light of this, the local police have heightened their presence around places of worship to ensure community safety. Authorities are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to identify the two suspects, one of whom was seen wearing a black jacket with distinctive branding, and the other wearing bright red gloves. Surveillance footage has proven crucial in this investigation, showing one of the suspects fleeing the scene after the fire was ignited. Sussex police made it clear that the incident was treated with utmost seriousness, categorizing it as an act of arson with intent to endanger lives. This incident is part of a broader pattern of hate crimes reported across the UK during a politically charged summer, characterized by mounting anxiety among various communities. Just days before this mosque incident, a violent attack outside a Jewish synagogue resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Such events raise concerns about rising Islamophobia and other forms of hate, leaving communities vulnerable and fearful. Local officials, including Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes district, James MacCleary, condemned the incident publicly, acknowledging the mosque's importance to local constituents and emphasizing the need for communal solidarity in the face of such violence.