Tensions on streets after slaughter of British soldier: War memorials defaced and mosque firebombed as EDL march on Westminster
- Bomber Command Memorial and Animals In War Memorial vandalised
- Police are unsure if attack was by Muslims or by far-right troublemakers
- 1,000 EDL chant, sing and march from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street
- Police keep them apart from Unite Against Fascism counter-protest
- Mosque fire-bombed in wake of Lee Rigby's execution in Woolwich
- Two men arrested and police vow to protect all communities in Grimsby
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Two of Britain's most celebrated war memorials have been defaced, apparently with the word 'Islam' scrawled across them and inscriptions scrubbed out with red paint.
Police have confirmed they are investigating the vandalism of the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park and the Animals In War Memorial in Park Lane, both in central London.
Pictures taken today show that the damage has now been covered over with plastic or white sheets.
Scotland Yard said there have not been any arrests, so it not clear if it has been done by Muslim protesters or far-right groups attempting to stir-up hatred.
Message: This image shows the word 'Islam' daubed on the Animals In War Memorial, but police are not sure if it was carried out by Muslim protesters or far-right groups trying to stir up trouble
Attack: The Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London, was also targeted in the past 24 hours and was then covered in black plastic and guarded by police
A tarpaulin covers part of the Animals in War Memorial on Park Lane, which police say they found at 5am
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'At 5am this morning police discovered graffiti on both the RAF Bomber Command War Memorial in Green Park and the Animals in War Memorial on Park Lane.
'Royal Parks' officers and Westminster police are investigating. There have been no arrests at present.'
The Bomber Command Memorial remembers the sacrifice and bravery of the 55,573 RAF crew who lost their lives in the Second World War and was unveiled by the Queen last summer.
Just last week Dame Judi Dench described herself as being 'very proud' to be the first patron of a new campaign to preserve it for generations to come.
The Animals in War Memorial is 'a powerful and moving tribute to all the animals that served, suffered and died alongside the British, Commonwealth and Allied forces in the wars and conflicts of the 20th century', according to the Animals in War Fund website.
The monument was unveiled by the Princess Royal in November 2004 - the 90th anniversary of the start of World War I.
The fund's website says the £2 million needed to build the monument came from 'a national appeal and the generosity of many individual donors, charities and companies'.
Scene: A man looks at the 'Animals at War' Memorial in Central London, after it was defaced with red paint overnight
Upsetting: The spray paint has been used to scrub out the inscription on the tribute to the animals which helped keep Britain free
It came as supporters of the English Defence League marched through central London today.
The EDL demonstrators pushed their way through a police cordon as they made their way to Trafalgar Square.
They chanted 'Muslim killers off our streets' and 'There’s only one Lee Rigby' and protesters held placards that read 'Blood on your hands' and 'GB RIP'.
They are expected to demonstrate outside Downing Street later.
A group of United Against Fascism supporters are planning a counter-protest at the same time and were penned in by the Met Police to avoid ugly clashes.
The demonstrators marched through Admiralty Arch and onto Parliament Square.
They were escorted by Metropolitan Police officers and vans, while a force helicopter followed overhead.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said Whitehall was closed to traffic because of 'a number of demonstrations'.
Patriotic: English Defence League supporters wore Union Jacks and flew England flags as they called David Cameron a 'coward' for going on holiday after the Woolwich terror attack
Hundreds came to central London claiming they were there to remember fallen soldier Lee Rigby
Control: Police officers walk members of the English Defence League protest as they march from Trafalgar Square
Messages: The EDL supporters were chanting and singing at the event in central London
Across the road: 'Unite Against Fascism' demonstrators shouted across police lines at English Defence League demonstrators
Tensions have also increased in certain communities where thugs have been attacking mosques in retaliation for the murder of Lee Rigby.
A Grimsby mosque was last night hit with petrol bombs, while people were inside, including children.
Chairman Diler Gharib said: 'We had just finished our prayers and were discussing how to thank our neighbours for the support they have shown us over the past few days when we heard a bang and saw fire coming under the door.
'I grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out and then two more petrol bombs hit the fire escape and the bin so I had to put those out too.
'Luckily the police have been monitoring the mosque since the last attack and they were able to arrest two people almost straight away.
'We have all been feeling on edge and now this has happened. It’s not just the people at the mosque we are worried about, it’s our wives, daughters and children who are out in the community.
'People need to realise that the people who committed the murder in Woolwich are criminals and it had nothing to do with the Muslim faith.'
A 33-year-old man and a 37-year-old man were arrested following the attack and were tonight in police custody at Grimsby Police Station.
Following a separate attack on the mosque last Thursday, six of the 11 people arrested have been released without charge.
Four boys, aged 16 and 15, have been released on bail until the end of June.
Attack: This scorched door to the Grimsby Mosque shows the damage caused by the firebomb attack last night
Scene: Police and firefighters attend the blaze started by troublemakers at a Grimsby mosque last night
Chief Supt Tony Forbes said today: 'I would like to remind people that these are serious offences which are being investigated and those who are responsible will be brought to justice.
'It is important to remember that those people who have committed these offences are a very small minority and they do not reflect the vast majority of people who live in North East Lincolnshire.
'The people who want to engage themselves in this type of criminal activity will be dealt with using all appropriate police resources and powers.
'I have spoken to community leaders and what is clear to me is the attacks will not be allowed to undermine the very good community relations in North East Lincolnshire. My officers will continue to work with all of our communities to protect them and ensure their safety.'
On Saturday night riot police were called to stop a ‘Help for Heroes’ walk over fears it would turn violent.
Officers carrying shields and batons brought a halt to the parade in Bristol after they received reports of planned trouble.
Marchers said they were raising money for the armed forces charity but internet rumours claimed the facist group the English Defence League was also taking part.
Police stopped the walk outside a pub - sparking a five hour stand-off which saw up to 40 people barricade themselves inside.
Riot police, vans and horses attended on Saturday evening as an operation was launched to contain the group.
Officers say there were 19 arrests and 12 people were later charged with public order offences and five remanded in custody.
Problems: Hoards of police were forced to break up the walk in Bristol because of disorder
Trouble: Riot officers were called to halt a Bristol walk in support of Help for Heroes after they feared it would stoke up 'community tensions' - this led to 19 arrests
Meanwhile an English Defence League activist who threatened to burn down a mosque in retaliation for Lee Rigby's murder has been told he faces jail.
Adam Rodgers took to Facebook following the murder and called on his fellow EDL members to meet him at a mosque in Hastings, Sussex.
The 28-year-old posted various 'inflammatory' remarks on the social networking site in the hours following the drummer's death including 'the mosque needs burning down'.
Lead magistrate Paul Brown, told him: 'The harm you could have created was potentially huge due to the circumstances. You made threats to burn down a mosque and mobilise people at a time when feelings are running very high due to a tragic incident. All options will remain open, including prison.'
Meanwhile, hate cleric Anjem Choudary has told how Muslims have been shaking his hand in the street in support of his views on Islam, as Theresa May takes steps to ban extremist preachers from our screens.
Choudary said that his rants were to do with foreign policy and the oppression of Muslims, and said he had never encouraged any terrorism.
He said many people were now scared of speaking - but he had been congratulated for his stance on the issue.
Figurehead: Anjem Choudary says Muslims have been praising his views on Islam and British foreign policy
He said: 'People are coming up to me and shaking my hand. There has been a lot of support for me, on the internet, on social networks and on the streets.
'At the end of the day what we say needs context. Nobody is saying go out and do something like that, stab someone in the street, but if you don't talk about the foreign policy you have to think about the implications.'
He also spoke against calls to ban 'hate' sermons.
He said: 'I would say that the question is should Muslims have love or hatred towards the British foreign policy?
'If Theresa May is now saying that Muslims must love what is taking place in Iraq and in Afghanistan then I'm afraid that the vast majority of Muslims around the world have nothing but contempt for the occupation of Muslim lands and the murder of innocent women and children.'
He added: 'Over the last 15 or 20 years we have organised hundreds of demonstrations, we have held classes, lectures and conferences with thousands of Muslims.
'Nobody has even carried out any terrorist activities. What people do when they leave we cannot be held accountable for.
'Most of the demonstrations have been organised with the full consent of the police and the council. They have been aware of our activities for so long.
'At the demonstration with Michael [Adebolajo, who was pictured with Choudary at a 2007 rally], there were no arrests.
'If it was so bad, why was he not stopped then?'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2331598/War-memorial-defaced-EDL-prepare-march-Downing-Street-tensions-rise-country.html#ixzz2UX1N1cr5
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