Anti-Muslim probe ‘serious’

A counter-terrorism detective investigating threatening “Punish a Muslim Day” letters has said his team takes religious hatred “extremely seriously”.

The offensive messages were sent to a string of locations across the country.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East is leading the investigation. Head of the unit, Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden, said: “We take religious hatred extremely seriously and my officers will be carrying out a full and thorough investigation in response to these reports.

“These letters seek to cause fear and offence among our Muslim communities.”