Man charged after Muslim venues in east London targeted with graffiti

A man from east London has been charged after offensive graffiti was sprayed on a series of Islamic buildings.

Illia Bilyk, 21, has been charged with five counts of racially and religiously-aggravated criminal damage.

Muslim organisations and venues in Leyton in January were targeted.

Stratford Islamic Association on Brydges Road, the Al-Birr Mosque on Church Road, and Leyton Jamia Masjid, on High Road, were all attacked on January 23 last year.

Noor Ul Islam Primary School on Dawlish Road, and Islamic Shariah Council on Francis Road, were sprayed two days later.

Chief Superintendent Rhona Hunt, who leads policing in the area, said: “We recognise that these incidents caused significant distress within Muslim communities across east London last year and that they continue to cause concern.

"Anti-Muslim hate crime and Islamophobia have absolutely no place in London. We are committed to tackling hate crime while supporting and reassuring our communities.

"We would encourage anyone with concerns, or who has experienced or witnessed anti-Muslim hate crime, to contact police and report it.”