Terror: Explosion Near Tipton Mosque

12 July 2013, 17:38 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police have been called to Binfield Street in Tipton on Friday afternoon following reports of a loud explosion.

Officers were called at 1.06pm to the scene. A cordon was then set up with the immediate area evacuated.

Some residents have reported finding debris in the area and finding nails. This is being investigated by counter terrorism detectives and forensic officers at the scene.

There are no reports of any injuries to anyone at this time.

An investigation is being led by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit and it is being treated as a terrorist incident.

There are some road closures in place around the Binfield Street area.

A joint statement has been released by the Board of Trustees & Management Committee of Kanz ul Iman Jami'a Mosque in Tipton:

''Tipton Kanz ul Iman Central Jam'ia Mosque Muslim Community Condemns Mindless Act and calls for calm.

The Board of Trustees & the Managaemt Committee Kanz Ul Iman Masjid express their deep shock and utter dismay regarding the incident that has occurred this afternoon.  

We jointly on behalf of the local community condemn this senseless and mindless act.  Its a blessing from God that thankfully no-one was injured in the blast.

We call for calm and strongly urge the community not to let this incident divide us and cause disharmony.  We stand united stand together in the aftermath of this mindless act.  

We have worked hard to build good community relations and will not allow this incident to divide us or undermine cohesion in the Borough.

We are working closely with the Police with their ongoing investigation seeking reassurance to make the scene as safe and secure as soon as possible and track down the perpetrators.

We ask the media to be sensitive and to deal with this incident prudently and sensibly.''

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.