On the evening of October 4, 2025, the quiet seaside town of Peacehaven in East Sussex was shaken by a suspected arson attack on its mosque, an incident that has since reverberated far beyond the local community. Emergency services were called to the mosque on Phyllis Avenue just before 10pm, after a fire broke out at the building’s entrance and engulfed a car parked outside. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, but the event has left deep scars—both physical and emotional—on those who worship at the mosque and the wider community.
According to Sussex Police, the incident is being investigated as an arson with intent to endanger life and is also considered a hate crime. The front entrance of the mosque suffered significant damage, and images shared online show a burned-out car at the entrance. Detective Inspector Gavin Patch described the attack as “appalling and reckless,” acknowledging the fear and anxiety it has caused. “This was an appalling and reckless attack which we know will have left many people feeling less safe,” Patch said in a statement quoted by BBC.
Police have released images of two suspects they wish to identify. One was seen wearing a distinctive black jacket with a Pre London logo in white on the chest, while the other wore bright red gloves. Both appeared masked and dressed in dark clothing. According to a volunteer at the mosque, two people inside the building at the time narrowly escaped harm. The volunteer recounted to CNN that the suspects tried to force open the mosque’s door, then poured petrol onto the steps before setting the building alight. “It could have been murder,” the volunteer told BBC, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the narrow escape of those inside.
The mosque community expressed profound sadness at the attack but also gratitude that no lives were lost. In a statement, a spokesperson said, “While the incident has caused damage to our building and vehicles, we are profoundly grateful that no one was injured. This hateful act does not represent our community or our town. Peacehaven has always been a place of kindness, respect, and mutual support, and we will continue to embody those values.” The spokesperson called on everyone to “reject division and respond to hate with unity and compassion.”
The response from law enforcement has been swift and visible. Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna confirmed that there is an increased police presence at the scene, with additional patrols at other places of worship across Sussex to provide reassurance. “Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime, and there is no place for hate across the county,” Bohanna said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. Forensic teams continue to examine the site, and officers are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity or captured footage near the mosque on Saturday evening to come forward.
The incident comes at a time of heightened concern for religious communities across the UK. Just two days prior, a deadly attack occurred outside a synagogue in Manchester, where two Jewish people were killed and the suspect was shot dead at the scene. The suspect, named as Jihad Al-Shamie, was a British citizen of Syrian descent. These attacks have led to renewed focus on the safety of places of worship, with police stepping up patrols and community leaders calling for unity.
The attack in Peacehaven has drawn widespread condemnation from across the political and religious spectrum. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the incident as “deeply concerning” and called for national unity. “At a time like this, we must stand united. This country’s greatest strength has been its ability to build one nation from many communities. Attacks against Britain’s Muslims are attacks against all Britons and this country itself,” Mahmood said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Chris Ward, the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Appalled by the disgusting arson attack on Peacehaven mosque last night. That there were no injuries is purely by chance. This violence and hatred has no place in our peaceful, tolerant local community. We will root it out and we stand in solidarity with all affected.”
Local government leaders have also spoken out. Zoe Nicholson, leader of Lewes District Council, said she was “shocked and saddened” by the fire. “This is a deeply distressing incident that strikes at the heart of our community. On behalf of Lewes District Council, I want to express our unwavering support and solidarity with the Muslim community in Peacehaven and across our district. Be in no doubt, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you,” she stated.
The Muslim Council of Britain condemned the attack, saying it was “profoundly shocked and alarmed by the Islamophobic arson attack” and urging authorities to provide robust protection for all places of worship. The council noted that the attack “follows a disturbing pattern of violence and intimidation,” referencing recent threats and attacks against religious sites across the country.
Calls for unity have not been limited to the Muslim community. The East London Mosque urged all faiths to stand together against extremism, intolerance, and violence. The Board of Deputies of British Jews also condemned the mosque attack, stating, “Every faith community has the right to worship free from fear. Our country is better than this.”
Amid the investigation, questions have arisen regarding the motives behind the attack and whether it should be classified as terrorism. Mothin Ali, deputy leader of the Green Party, has called for police to urgently clarify whether the attack constitutes an act of terrorism. “People were inside the mosque when it was firebombed and people in this community will be feeling frightened and targeted for their faith,” Ali said, as reported by The Independent.
Campaign groups have linked the attack to a wider atmosphere of hate and intimidation, noting recent activity by racist and fascist groups along the South Sussex coast. Brighton and Hove Stand Up to Racism stated that for weeks, such groups have been “whipping up an atmosphere of hatred and intimidation against black and Asian people” through the display of flags, stickers, and racist graffiti. This sentiment was echoed by Tariq Jung, chair of Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum, who called for community leaders to come together and support each other in “this time of great need.”
The broader context in the UK remains tense, with months of protests against asylum seekers and a social media campaign known as #OperationRaisetheColours, which has involved displays of national flags and, in some cases, racist graffiti. While some frame these actions as patriotic, authorities and advocacy groups warn that they have contributed to an environment in which hate crimes are more likely to occur.
As the investigation continues, Sussex Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small it may seem. Det Insp Patch emphasized, “We believe there are people in the community who know who these two are. If you have any information, no matter how small you think it might be, we urge you to do the right thing and come forward before any further harm is caused.” Information can be reported by calling 999 and quoting Operation Spey, or through Sussex Police’s online channels.
For now, Peacehaven’s Muslim community and their neighbors are left to pick up the pieces, determined not to let hate define their town. The swift response from emergency services and the outpouring of solidarity from across the country serve as reminders that, even in moments of darkness, unity and compassion can light the way forward.
