Police arrest same man over two separate fire attacks on victims near mosques
Police today confirmed they have arrested a man over two fire attacks on victims in Birmingham and London.
On Monday evening, Mohammed Rayaz suffered burns to his face, hands and chest when his jacket was set alight as he walked home from a mosque in Edgbaston.
The 70-year-old was attacked just yards from his family’s terraced home in the Edgbaston area of the city on Monday night.
Detectives are quizzing a man, believed to be a Sudanese national in his early 30s, on suspicion of attempted murder.
A similar incident took place on February 27, in which an 82-year-old was set on fire after leaving the West London Islamic Centre in Ealing. At the time, officers released CCTV of a man sought in connection with the incident.
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West Midlands Police has now confirmed that the two attacks are linked.
Mohammed Rayaz, the victim of the Birmingham attack, suffered burns to his face, hands and chest (Family handout)The man has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder.
Detectives from the Met’s West Area Command are working closely with West Midlands Police colleagues to establish the full circumstances.
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, of the Met’s West Area Command, said: "We completely understand the shock that resonated throughout the community following this incident.
“Despite a man having been arrested, we continue to be vigilant and urge local people to do the same. Highly visible patrols around Singapore Road will continue in the coming days to provide reassurance to local people and I urge anyone who is concerned to approach officers.”
Police today confirmed the two fire attacks were connectedIt comes after family friend and lawyer, Shahbon Hussain, told of Mr Rayaz's son ringing him in horror just moments after the Birmingham attack.
“He heard his dad screaming,” he said. “The family came out and saw their father on fire. They heard the screaming.
“I had a call from his son to say, ‘My dad is on fire’, so I was one of the first ones to attend.”
Mr Hussain revealed the alleged attacker only began worshipping at the mosque in recent weeks.
Police at the scene following the attack in Birmingham (Darren Quinton)He said the man attended daily prayers in the days leading up to the horror fire attack.
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“I think he was looking for a vulnerable old man, someone who he thought would be an easy target,” he said.
“He was completely deranged. If you look at the CCTV he casually walks off, there is no attempt to disguise himself.”
Hero eight-year-old schoolboy Rafal Szymanski rang police after seeing Mr Rayaz on fire outside his house.
His mum, Aldonia Maciejewska, 30, said: “The man was in a jacket. He took it off as it was on fire. I opened the door and he was screaming."
Another neighbour, Monsur Alam, 60, said his wife ran outside and threw a bucket of water over the stricken victim.
“I heard my daughter screaming that somebody was on fire,” he said.
“My wife saw the fire from upstairs and got a bucket of water and threw it onto the man.
“His face was covered in ash and his beard was burned."
West Midlands Police said officers are studying video footage of Monday evening's attack which has been circulated on social media.
Chief Superintendent Richard North, commander at Birmingham police, said: "Our investigation continues with support from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU who have access to specialist capabilities to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Footage was shared of a man being arrested in Birmingham yesterday
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder"We have officers patrolling the local area to reassure people and we are visiting local faith establishments to keep them informed."
He added: "Our officers have been working through the night to establish what happened and who is responsible.
"We are taking this matter extremely seriously and are using all resources available to us. We are keeping an open mind to the motive of the attacker and we won't speculate further at this stage.
"We're examining CCTV and speaking to witnesses. I've been speaking to people this morning, and so I know just how concerned they are and that people are after answers.
"We are determined to get those answers as soon as possible, and I'd urge the community to work with us and to avoid any speculation at this stage."
The scene where a pensioner was set alight in Edgbaston (Darren Quinton)Earlier, police said it is believed the pensioner, who was walking home from Dudley Road Mosque, was approached by a man who sprayed him with an unknown substance.
"He spoke to him briefly before spraying him with an unknown substance and then his jacket was set alight, causing burns to his face.
"He was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are thankfully not believed to be life-threatening."
"Officers are aware of a video posted on social media showing a man being set alight, and we're examining it as part of our investigations", the statement added.
Extra officers will be in the area to speak to the community and to provide reassurance.
Shahbon Hussain, a member of the local Street Watch group, said: "The family of the victim are very traumatised.
A general view of Dudley Road Mosque in Birmingham (Getty Images)"There has been a sense of shock in the community but it has brought everyone together. The police operation has been very smooth and everyone has come together in a joint effort to help out.
"The victim has life-changing injuries to his face and hands and we can only pray for him and hope he gets better soon."
Labour MP Shabana Mahmood, who knows Mr Rayaz, said she had spoken to him in a video call.
“It was very upsetting to see him bandaged up, unable to use or move his hands. He is usually so full of life,” she said.
“He can’t see anything at the moment because his eyes are very badly swollen. He was in immense pain.
“He was able to speak. He just wanted to thank everyone for their help.”
Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch with West Midlands Police via Live Chat on the force website or to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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