Police investigating a racially motivated incident at a Muslim home

Police are investigating after a pig’s head and large stone were thrown into a house in Sheer Brow, Blackburn at 10:35pm last Sunday night.

Shards of glass could be seen strewn across the front room of the property, with a severed pig’s head and a large stone also visible on the carpeted floor of the sitting room.

The pig head is offensive as Islam, Judaism and certain denominations of Christianity it is forbidden to eat pork is forbidden.

One of the steepest roads in the borough, Shear Brow runs from Limbrick to Revidge Road and is close to two major mosques in the town. 

Lancashire Police said they are taking matter ‘incredibly seriously’ and are treating it as a hate crime. Local residents are shocked over the incident with some suggesting the house targeted by the attack is believed be ‘a case of mistaken identity’.

The home belongs to a respected family who have lived on the stretch of road for 50 years.

Councillor Suleman Khonat, who represents the Shear Brow and Corporation Park ward, said: “I have had several calls from people overnight who are extremely concerned over the incident.

Shear Brow is a busy road and there is a lot of CCTV around, so this is not something you would expect to happen here or anywhere else for that matter. Police are investigating and taking the matter very seriously.

I would encourage anyone who knows anything or may have seen anything to assist them in their enquiries.”

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “We were called to Shear Brow, Blackburn, at 10.35pm on February 18 to a report of criminal damage at that location. It was reported that a brick had been thrown through the front window of a property, before a pig’s head was then thrown inside. 

Two males were seen to run away from the property.  We would appeal to anyone who was in that location at the time to check for CCTV or dashcam footage to help us to identify the suspects.”

They added: “The investigation into this matter is very much ongoing and any information that may help identify the suspects would be most welcome. We are taking this matter incredibly seriously and this is being treated as a hate crime. 

We do not tolerate hate of any form and we will do everything in our power to identify the offenders and take the appropriate action. While this is being treated as an isolated incident, reassurance patrols will be increased in the area as a precaution.”