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COPS have launched a hate crime investigation after reports of a suspected arson attack at a mosque.

CCTV footage shows two men with face coverings pull up to the Peacehaven Community Mosque, in East Sussex, on Saturday night.

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The video appears to reveal one yob, wearing a black jacket, walking up the front steps holding a green container.

He appears to douse the entrance steps with an accelerant before they go up in flames.

Within seconds the car has also turned into a fire ball.

A man who was inside the mosque runs out in terror, seeking safety.

It is not known how many people were in the building when the inferno was sparked.

Fire crews were called out to the chaotic scene and a large police presence remains in the area.

Footage from the scene shows a burnt-out vehicle being dampened by firemen.

A member of the Mosque told The Sun Online: “There was an attack on the mosque, a few individuals came with balaclavas on and blew up a vehicle outside the mosque and set the front a light.”

“It was a targeted attack,” he claimed.

“There’s a large police presence here now.”

Sussex Police Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna said: “This is a fast-moving investigation, and we are urging anyone with relevant information to report it to us.

“This includes anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell, dashcam, and mobile phone footage in the area at the time.

“We understand the concerns this has caused within the community, and the impact that will be felt by the Muslim community as a result.

“There is already an increased police presence at the scene and there are also additional patrols taking place to provide reassurance at other places of worship across the county.

“Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county.

“If you have concerns for your safety or experience any hate or criminal behaviour, please speak to an officer or contact us online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”

Anyone with information about the arson can report it to Sussex Police online or on 101, quoting Operation Spey.

Alternatively contact CrimeStoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

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SHOCKING footage shows the moment youths armed with large knives fought in broad daylight.

Locals and pedestrians watched on in horror as the chaos unfolded on what appears to be a residential street, in a video going viral on social media.

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The footage is believed to have been taken in Normanton, Derby, according to the original source.

Footage filmed by a passerby shows a number of young men lunging towards each other while they shout threats.

More than one appear to be brandishing large knives which they waved in their rivals’ faces.

The youths are caught on camera feinting towards one another with most dressed in tracksuits and hoodies.

A road sign reading Grove Street is visible during the shocking confrontation.

One man is seen with a bike while only one yob is seen without a face covering.

In the video, the mask-less man was seen tumbling to the floor during the confrontation but manages to get up just in time.

As he and a man in a grey tracksuit run away, they appear to be chased by two youths dressed in dark colours.

The skirmish ends when the yobs are seen running off in different directions.

The footage then cuts away as they run out of sight behind a bush.

Derbyshire Police have been contacted for comment.

It comes after horrifying footage shows the moment a car ploughed into machete-wielding thugs brawling on the street in broad daylight.

The bare-chested yobs were captured on camera fighting on Clements Place in Dundee, Scotland.

As many as eight people were involved in the brutal street fight as shocked motorists watched on in horror.

A number of thugs were armed with metal poles and machetes as the scrap spilled across a pavement outside residential properties.

Meanwhile, violent thugs armed with foot-long machetes were seen fighting on a tube station platform in full view of terrified commuters.

Shocking footage shows hooded yobs armed with knives at Queensbury station in North West London.

MASKED yobs hurled petrol bombs and fireworks at cops for a fifth night in Northern Ireland, in what has been dubbed a “week of shame” for the region.

Cops battled another night of violence as thugs continued to cause widespread devastation after the chaos began on Monday.

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The unrest began on Monday in Ballymena over the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town and the subsequent arrest of two 14-year-old boys.

But the focus of the violence and unrest has since shifted to Portadown.

One officer was directly in the impact of a petrol bomb that landed behind a line of police vehicles during a sustained standoff with those participating in the unrest yesterday.

Fireworks, masonry, and bottles were among other items thrown at riot police deployed in the town.

Shortly before midnight, the PSNI used a water cannon on the crowd in an effort to disperse those gathered on West Street into other areas.

The force used the water cannon again at around 12.30am on Saturday.

Elsewhere on Friday, there were reports of disruption and damage to public property as riot police responded to another protest in the Tullyally area of Londonderry.

It came after a senior officer said there would be a “scaled-up” policing presence across Northern Ireland in anticipation of further disorder over the weekend.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the mobilisation, which would include officers sent over from Scotland, was “to reassure our communities and protect our streets”.

Violence originally erupted on Monday, stemming from an initially peaceful gathering to support a girl and her family after an alleged sexual assault.

Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court charged with attempted rape on Monday.

A third man, 28, was also arrested over the alleged sexual assault.

The boys confirmed their names – which cannot be reported – and their ages through a Romanian interpreter at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court.

But within hours of their court appearance, disorder broke out in Co Antrim.

Families in the town of Ballymena have been forced to flee their homes as the riots continue.

Crowds set fire to piles of furniture in the middle of the streets, homes were set alight, and multiple cars went up in flames.

Harrowing photos from the last two nights show the charred remains of residents’ property.

Footage showed masked and hooded rioters lobbing petrol bombs, fireworks and bricks at cops trying to calm the unrest on Tuesday.

Officers fired baton rounds and water cannon in a desperate bid to keep the mobs at bay.

A famous UK seaside resort grappling with anti-social behaviour and constant smells of drugs has seen its high-acclaimed beach lose out on a prestigious award this year

The faultless reputation of one of the UK’s most iconic seaside resorts has taken a tumble after its three-mile beach was stripped of a prestigious award. Situated in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, and surrounded by lush Dorset countryside – Weymouth attracts a staggering two million day trippers every single year.

Steeped in history and boasting a charming town centre, the resort’s pièce de résistance has often been its golden sand beach.

“Weymouth’s sheltered bay, gradual sloping seabed and exquisite waters offer swimmers, bathers and water sports enthusiasts idyllic and safe conditions to suit every taste,” hailed Visit Dorset, the area’s official tourist board. “The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting championships and a wide range of events for all to enjoy.”

Weymouth Central Beach, which has often been regarded as one of the best slices of coast in Europe, was even frequented by King George III in the late 1700s. But, after its water quality was downgraded from ‘excellent’ to ‘good’ by the Environment Agency at the end of 2024, Weymouth has waved goodbye to its Blue Flag status.

READ MORE: ‘Deserted’ UK beach boasts three-miles of golden sand but getting there isn’t easy

Earlier this year, Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council’s Environment and Services Committee, described the review as ‘disappointing’. The council is reportedly working with agencies to tackle its dip in water quality to ‘improve the situation’.

Despite being robbed of the accolade, Weymouth Beach was given a Seaside Award – which aims to recognise ‘quality and diversity’ and focuses more on well-managed, clean beaches as opposed to factors like water quality. “We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents,” Weymouth Town Council’s Town Clerk Jane Biscombe said, according to the BBC.

However, losing its Blue Flag gong isn’t the only problem plaguing the region. As previously reported, swathes of business owners and residents claim their home is being ruined by ‘moronic’ anti-social behaviour, and the constant stink of drugs.

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“It’s definitely got worse,” argues Lee Waugh, 57, a military veteran who has lived in Weymouth since his teenage years. “The levels of the problems seem to be higher. For example, we need tables out the front to showcase our clothes and bring people into the shop, but opportunists steal them. It’s a catch 22. It’s a problem in town – groups can cause mayhem.”

Lee also spoke of the issue of smell, saying that the drugs in the area are now extremely obvious and off-putting due to the infamous smell once lit. “There’s a lot of weed – you can smell it,” he added. “People don’t even hide it through town, they’re walking up and down the street with it.”

Janet and David Dye, 67 and 71, are from Basildon, Essex, but frequently visit their son who lives in the town. They too have noticed a decline in the town’s reputation, and argue weed is the ‘main problem’. “If you are drinking a bottle of beer in the street, the police should stop you and tell you to tip it out – that’s supposed to be the law,” David said. “But a lot of the time they won’t, until someone complains that they’re drunk.”

The Mirror contacted Dorset Police back in April this year to ask what was being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Weymouth. It pointed to its Safer Street Partnership, an initiative backed by several organisations including Dorset Council Community Safety Team, which tries to not only identify those causing disruption on the streets, but to help rehabilitate them.

“Over the last five years reported anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 40 per cent,” stated Sam Goom, Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team. “The Safer Street Partnership is an integral part of that success.

“Our collaborative effort to tackle street-based ASB has made a huge difference – our partners work extremely hard to find long-term solutions. They are a great bunch, and I am thankful for their continued commitment. There is always more to do but definite progress is being made.”

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