Counter-terror police investigate anti-Muslim packages and mail sent to UK and US mosques

Counter-terror police are investigating anti-Muslim hate mail and packages sent to multiple sites in the United Kingdom and United States, The Star reports.

Sent over the last 18 months, the malicious notes and packages all have a Sheffield postmark, and many include the same pseudonym or initials.

Several mosques in London have received these hateful messages and packages postmarked. Forest Gate mosque, Coventry Cross mosque in Bromley-by-Bow, and Shacklewell Lane mosque reportedly received letters within the last month saying that the sender planned to visit their mosques. The letters contain offensive language directed at Pakistani Muslims.

Anti-Muslim packages have also been received by the Bank of England and three other London mosques.

Additional hate mail postmarked from Sheffield has arrived in Rotherham and mosques across the United States. One such letter sent to a New Jersey mosque contained threats to kill Muslims.

The North East Counter Terrorism Unit (NECTU) is consequently investigating whether the letters and packages may be from the same source. Specialists have visited the sites that have received the hateful mail and examined the contents of the packages. An NECTU spokesperson commented that “in all cases, the substances were found not to be noxious or harmful.” The larger investigation is ongoing.