Wandsworth’s top policeman, borough commander Stewart Low, has visited two Tooting mosques where attacks have occurred against Muslims during Ramadan.

Commander Low, along with Chief inspector Tim Harding who is heading up local police’s response to the attacks, spoke with leaders of the Idara-e-Jafferiya mosque in Church Lane and at the Gatton Road Mosque.

Commander Low said: “I want to reassure the Asian community about our response to these incidents. We are very determined to find out the facts. People at the mosque should realise we are here to serve them. We want them to feel safe and we are doing all we can for them.”

He added it was correct to treat the incidents as racially motivated. He said: “It would be very wrong for us not to start from there. Clearly there is a perception held [that these attacks are racially motivated] in the community but we are still trying to establish the facts.

Chief Insp Harding, who is charge of community safety at Wandsworth police, said police would visit all mosques in the borough to reassure leaders about safety and were increasing patrols.

He said: “There is community anxiety and we are over this like a rash. The mosques have been excellent, their response has been proportionate and they are working to keep the community calm.”

He said patrols will increase during prayer times - which are from 4.30am to 7.30am and then again at 7pm - and an increased visible presence through safer neighbourhood team patrols would create another level of safety.

“We have put lots of resources into this. We have response cars doing patrols and all the six mosque and prayer centres in the borough have our numbers for emergencies. That will continue until the end of Ramadan, about September 20.”

Officers are investigating the murder of Ekram Haque, who died on Monday following an attack in Church Lane on August 31, and a second attack on a 30-year-old Muslim in Gatton Road on Tuesday.

Anyone with information on either attack should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Four teenagers appeared in youth court on Tuesday. A 15-year-old, and two 14-year-olds were charged with the murder of Mr Haque and two counts of ABH. The fourth boy, aged 12 was charged with conspiracy to commit GBH and two counts of assault.

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