Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mosque in Peacehaven, East Sussex, after two people narrowly escaped when the building was set on fire late Saturday evening. Authorities have confirmed the incident is being treated as a hate crime.
Emergency crews were called just before 10pm to reports of a blaze at the mosque, located near Brighton on the south coast. According to mosque representatives, two masked individuals attempted to break through the entrance before dousing the doorway and steps with petrol and setting it alight.
At the time of the attack, the mosque’s chairman and a fellow worshipper—both in their 60s—were inside the building finishing tea. They managed to escape unhurt as flames spread across the front entrance. “They could have easily lost their lives. This was an attack with full intent to cause maximum damage,” a voluntary mosque manager told reporters.
READ MORE: Peacehaven Mosque Fire: Police Condemn ‘Reckless Hate Crime’ After Arson Attack
Security camera footage reportedly shows two individuals in balaclavas pulling at the mosque’s door before pouring fuel over the entrance and a car parked outside. That car, belonging to the mosque chairman who works as a taxi driver, was destroyed in the blaze.
Although no injuries were reported, Sussex Police confirmed significant damage to both the building’s frontage and the vehicle. Officers say the psychological impact on the Muslim community will be long-lasting.
Police Response and Community Reaction
Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna of Sussex Police said additional patrols are being deployed at the mosque and at other religious sites across the county. “We will not tolerate such reckless acts of hate and are working with our partners to provide reassurance to the community,” she said.
Local MP James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat, Lewes) also condemned the attack on social media, calling it “appalling” and reaffirming the mosque’s role as “an important part of the community.”
The mosque, which has served around 10–15 regular worshippers since it opened four years ago, has faced previous low-level harassment. Last year, eggs were thrown at the building and abusive slurs were shouted by passers-by. However, community leaders say they never expected an incident of this scale.
A Troubling Climate of Hate
The attack comes during a tense period in the UK, with reported spikes in both Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents. Just days earlier, two Jewish worshippers were killed in a car ramming and stabbing outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned that attack and warned of the rise in hate-driven violence across the country.
For now, the Peacehaven Muslim community remains shaken. “Everyone feels unsafe. People are worried about what could happen next,” the mosque’s representative said.
Police are urging anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward as investigations continue.
