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Woolwich attack provokes anti-Muslim backlash across UK

The murder of soldier Lee Rigby has provoked a backlash of anti-Muslim anger across the UK, including the attacking of mosques, racial abuse and comments on social media.

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Anti-Muslim backlash in wake of Woolwich murder: Lee Rigby poses with (L-R) wife Rebecca Rigby, sisters Sara McClure and Chelsea Rigby, Lee Rigby and his mother and stepfather Ian and Lyn Rigby
Lee Rigby poses with (L-R) wife Rebecca Rigby, sisters Sara McClure and Chelsea Rigby, and his mother and stepfather Ian and Lyn Rigby Credit: Photo: GETTY

Reports of attacks to one helpline have increased more than six fold in the days since Wednesday’s atrocity, allegedly carried out by Islamic fanatics.

They have included “focused, very aggressive attacks”, a spokesman said.

A number of people were appearing in various courts around the country for a series of unrelated alleged racist incidents.

Police in Newcastle were also bracing themselves for a rally organised by the English Defence League and arrested three people ahead of the event for allegedly making racist tweets.

Faith Matters, which works to reduce extremism, said its helpline had been inundated with reports of attacks, including some on mosques.

Before the Woolwich murder between four to eight cases a day were reported but it had received up to 150 in the last few days.

Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters, told BBC Radio Five Live: "What's really concerning is the spread of these incidents. They're coming in from right across the country.

"Secondly, some of them are quite aggressive very focused, very aggressive attacks. And thirdly, there also seems to be significant online activity ... suggesting co-ordination of incidents and attacks against institutions or places where Muslims congregate."

A 22-year-old man was appearing before magistrates in Lincoln charged with making malicious comments on Facebook.

Benjamin Flatters, from the city, was arrested on Thursday after complaints were made to Lincolnshire Police about comments made on the social networking site which were allegedly of a racist or antireligious nature, a Lincolnshire Police spokesman said.

Avon and Somerset Police arrested and bailed two men for making alleged offensive comments on Twitter about the murder.

A 23-year-old and a 22-year-old, both from Bristol, were held under the Public Order Act on suspicion of inciting racial or religious hatred.

Detective Inspector Ed Yaxley of Avon and Somerset Police said: "These comments were directed against a section of our community. Comments such as these are completely unacceptable and only cause more harm to our community in Bristol.

"People should stop and think about what they say on social media before making statements as the consequences could be serious."

Two men, from London, were also due to appear at Thames Magistrates Court charged with religiously aggravated threatening behaviour over an incident in an east London fast food restaurant on Thursday.

Labourer Toni Latcal, 32, was charged with religiously aggravated threatening behaviour and causing criminal damage while plasterer Eugen-Aurelian Eugen-Beredei, 34, was charged with religiously aggravated threatening behaviour.

Surrey Police said a 19-year-old man has been charged in connection with comments placed on a social media website following the murder of the soldier.

In Surrey, Mohammed Mazar, 19, of Balmoral Drive, Woking, has been charged in connection with comments placed on a social media website following the murder of the soldier.

He was freed on police bail to appear at South West Surrey Magistrates' Court on June 11.

Superintendent Matt Goodridge said: "Surrey Police will not tolerate language used in a public place, including on social media websites, which causes harassment, alarm or distress."

Adam Rogers, 28, of Kingsman Street, Woolwich, has been charged by police after allegedly posting an offensive message on Facebook.

He was to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court accused of sending an "offensive, indecent or menacing message" online.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman has been charged with allegedly sending a "grossly offensive" message on Facebook, Hampshire Constabulary said.

Michaela Turner, of Lumsden Road, Southsea, was arrested at her home after a post was uploaded at 10.42pm on Wednesday. The post has since been removed.

A police spokesman said: "Following the terrorist incident in Woolwich this week, Hampshire Constabulary is working closely with local partnership groups to safeguard all members of the community.

"This includes monitoring social networking sites, and we will seek to arrest and prosecute anyone inciting hatred or violence online."