Race hate thugs are behind a series of inflammatory attacks with pork on a Mosque and Muslim homes.
The thugs have been throwing bacon and pork at several houses in South Shields town centre since the turn of the year.
Community leaders today told how they fear the attacks are an attempt to intimidate the town’s Muslim community.
Pork is banned in Muslim households as the pig is considered “a dirty animal” under Islamic law.
In one attack, a slab of bacon was left outside one of the community’s most popular mosques - The South Tyneside Jam-E-Masjid Bangladeshi Muslim Culture and Welfare Association in Baring Street.
Police, who have stepped up patrols in the area and confirmed they have received five reports of pork products being thrown or left outside of properties in the town centre.
But today a town centre politician said he believes it could be more widespread as many of the community may feel too scared to report the crimes.
Independent Coun Ahmed Khan, of the Beacon and Bents ward, said: “The first thing I’ve got to say is that it is extremely disappointing that this is happening.
“The second is that I hope these are just pranks and nothing more serious.
“If these racist attacks are driven by hate then something needs to be done before this gets out of hand.
“However, at the moment I would urge the community to keep calm and put this into perspective.
“Yes, these attacks are upsetting for the town’s Muslim community but as yet no one has been hurt and I hope it stays that way.”
Chief Supt Ian Dawes today said officers from South Tyneside Area Command are working closely with the town’s Muslim community in an attempt to trace the racist gang.
He said: “We’re pursuing a number of lines of enquiry in relation to these offences.
“We have a strong and productive relationship with the diverse communities in South Tyneside and we are all working hard to identify those responsible.
“We urge anyone who suffers harassment, intimidation or any other racist crime to report it to police as soon as possible so that it can be thoroughly investigated. We take any allegations of racist crimes very seriously.”
Anyone who has any information about the recent incidents is asked to call police on 03456 043 043 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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