London Mosque Attack: Men Assault Muslim Worshipper with ’Batten and Hammer’

By Staff, The Independent

Hours after dozens of people were killed in an attack on two mosques in New Zealand, a man was attacked "with a hammer" and a "batten" outside an east London mosque.

In further details, a group of three men shouted Islamophobic abuse as they drove past the place of worship on Cannon Street Road, eyewitnesses said.

They called people attending Friday prayers “terrorists”, they added. 

A few worshippers followed the blue car, only for the men to climb out of the vehicle and attack one of them with a weapon, thought to be a hammer. Police said the 27-year-old victim sustained head injuries. 

The two groups fought before the men climbed back into the car and drove away.

In a clip filmed by a witness, one of the alleged attackers can be seen clinging to the car's bonnet in an attempt to get away.

No arrests have yet been made.

The assault occurred the same day 49 Muslims were martyred in a terrorist attack at two mosques in New Zealand.

Following the New Zealand attack police officers in the UK stepped up patrols around mosques on Friday.

Officers were deployed to provide reassurance and advice on protective security as Muslims attended Friday prayers around the country.