Halal butcher in the Midlands is firebombed as tensions run high after Brexit vote
A NUMBER of racist hate crimes have taken place in the UK in the aftermath of the decision to leave the EU
A HALAL butchers was destroyed in a sick petrol bomb attack just days after Britain voted to leave the EU.
The vile destruction at Kasmir Meat & Poultry in Pleck, Walsall, is the latest in a string of sick hate crimes in the wake of Brexit.
Police say a 6ft-tall white man, who was wearing a blue jacket, walked into the halal butchers and threw a lit bottle of accelerant at 5.25pm on Monday.
Thankfully a shop-worker managed to escape with just minor bruising after the sickening fire bomb attack.
Dramatic photos have shown the extent of damage at the Muslim store, with the front windows blown out and the walls covered in black soot.
West Midlands Police say they are keeping an open mind over the motive, but locals insist the attack was Brexit-related.
One said tensions have been "running high in the community" in the aftermath of the shock decision to leave the European Union.
Mary Walker, 67, from Pleck, said: "It isn't the nicest area around here and it does attract people with far right views.
"I have overheard people making comments to Eastern European residents and Muslims that they should go home now.
"It is a disgrace that these thugs are trying to intimidate people like this and think it is the best way to get what they want.
"Just because we voted to leave the EU it doesn't mean we should only be a country of white Brits.
"I'm positive the man who runs it isn't even European, it's just mindless racism which people think is OK now just because we voted out.
"I am sure it will be related to the referendum result, I have no doubt.
"This poor butcher works hard for a living, which I bet is more than you can say for the idiot who did this."
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said the incident is being investigated by officers, who are currently making inquiries and examining CCTV footage.
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Detective Inspector Greg Evans added: "The inquiry is at an early stage and I am keeping an open mind as to the motive.
"The man was not seriously injured but it could have been much more serious.
"I am appealing for anyone with information or anyone who saw what happened to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
A local Muslim grandfather, who didn't want to be name for fear of reprisals, added: "I was horrified when I saw the damage.
"We are thankful that no-one was seriously hurt but we could easily have been looking at a death.
";My family uses the butchers and I know this will have shaken them up.
"Being a multi-cultural society is part of what makes Britain great and it should stay that way.
"The Muslim community around here is very much on edge at the moment."
Nine people were arrested after 160 members of the English Defence League (EDL) marched in Walsall in August last year.
The far-right group descended on the town over claims it has a child exploitation problem and suggested there are "non-Muslim" areas.
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