AN IMAM has called for calm, and the community to come together, after thugs targeted a mosque in a suspected hate crime.

Police patrols have been upped to prevent any copycat attacks after what has been described as “religiously aggravated criminal damage” at The UK Islamic Mission Mosque, West Road, Westcliff.

Imam Iftikhar Haq said: “This is a hate crime.

“We need to be spreading the message that there is no link between Islam and extremism.

“We all need to stand together against this, including different faiths such as Judaism.”

Insp Ian Hughes, from Southend’s community policing team, has also spoken out after yobs threw a brick through the mosque’s window on Saturday.

He said: “We have been working closely with the three mosques located in Southend on the run up to Ramadan.

“Understandably this incident has caused concern among the Muslim community especially since the terrible incidents witnessed internationally.

“But we believe this is an isolated incident committed by an unknown suspect at this time.

“We have met with the Imam and increased our patrols in order to provide the Muslim community with support and reassurance that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

A spokesman for Essex Police added: “We were called with reports of a religiously aggravated criminal damage incident in Westcliff on Saturday, May 4.

“It was reported that shortly after 1am, a brick had been thrown through the window of the mosque.

“If you have any information about this incident, please contact Essex Police via 101.”

Witnesses are asked to quote crime ref 42/69952/19. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.