Police appeal after Truro Islamic centre gates rammed by car

Overnight between Thursday and Friday, someone drove at the metal gates of a place of worship in Truro and left them badly damaged. Now Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for anyone who saw it happen, or who noticed a suspicious vehicle in the area, to come forward.

What happened at the centre

The damage was caused to the gates of the Cornwall Islamic Community Centre on Quenchwell Road sometime overnight between Thursday 17 September and today, Friday 18 September. Officers believe the gates were deliberately struck by a vehicle.

An unknown substance, possibly oil, was also poured within the grounds and on the centre’s exterior wall.

Police are treating the incident as racially aggravated criminal damage, and the investigation is focused on identifying who was responsible and what vehicle was involved.

“Mindless vandalism will not be welcomed”

Chief Superintendent Scott Bradley, police commander for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said the location of the incident was behind the force’s current classification of it.

“Due to the location of the incident, we are treating it as racially aggravated criminal damage until such time as the evidence suggests otherwise,” he said.

“Such acts of mindless vandalism will not be welcomed in our communities. I would like to assure local residents that they can expect to see reassurance patrols being carried out today and over the weekend.”

How to help

Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Quenchwell Road area overnight, or who has information that could help the investigation, is asked to contact police via 101 or the website, quoting log number 169 of 18 September.

Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, online or by calling freephone 0800 555 111.

Reassurance patrols are due to continue in the area through the weekend as the investigation into who was behind the attack on the centre’s gates continues.

📷Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police