On 4 October 2025, Peacehaven Community Centre & Mosque in East Sussex was set on fire in a suspected hate crime. CCTV footage showed two masked individuals spraying an accelerant on the front door before igniting a fire.[1][2] Sussex police confirmed the incident, in which no-one was injured, was being treated as a hate crime.[3][4]
The attack took place two days after an attack on a synagogue in Manchester, which left three people dead, including the attacker. Tell MAMA, an anti-Islamophobia group, had recorded 6,000 Islamophobic incidents in the UK in 2024, a record high since it began recording statistics in 2012.[4]
Investigation
As of 10 October, police had arrested four men under suspected connection with the attack, all of whom had been released under conditional bail. On 17 October, Crimestoppers announced a reward of £10,000 for information leading to a conviction.[5] On 23 October, two suspects were charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the attack, with a trial due to start at the Old Bailey on 14 November.[6][7]
On 4 November it was reported that "as a result of information and evidence that has come to light" during ongoing inquiries, counter-terrorism officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East had taken over the investigation.[8]
Reactions
The attack was condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.[2] Wajid Akhter, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "These incidents do not occur in a vacuum. This comes as media and political figures escalate collective blame and deliberate misrepresentation of Muslim communities, their causes and their faith."[9] On 10 October, local MP Chris Ward and members of the Muslim Council of Britain visited the mosque during the first Friday prayer since the attack took place.[10]
Some local residents have said that they believed Operation Raise the Colours had "created the climate" for the attack, with Phyllis Avenue having been lined with flags. The Peacehaven mosque manager said "Anti-Islamic sentiment is spreading [...] We personally don’t have anything wrong with the flag of the country as long as it’s done with the right intention. But these have been put up with an intent to divide."[11]
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