Police release image of man they want to speak to after 82-year-old was ‘doused with a liquid and set on fire’ outside a mosque leaving him with severe burns
- The incident occurred on February 27 by West London Islamic Centre in Ealing
- Police are now urging anyone who recognises the suspect to come forward
Police are searching for a suspect they believe set fire to an elderly pensioner outside a west London mosque last month.
The Metropolitan Police have today released CCTV images of the man, who allegedly doused a 82-year-old man in a liquid believed to be petrol, before setting him on fire using a lighter.
They are also urging anyone who recognises the suspect to come forward.
The incident occurred on February 27, around 8pm.
Detectives say the man in question engaged with the victim in conversation – for around five minutes – as the pair both left the West London Islamic Centre on Singapore Road in Ealing before launching the attack.
CCTV images released by police of a man suspected to have set fire to an 82-year-old victim. Police are hunting a man who savagely doused an elderly pensioner in petrol and set him alight outside a mosque they’d both attended
Investigating officers have now released several CCTV images of the suspect from the mosque in the hope of identifying and catching the culprit
The pair spoke for around five minutes outside the mosque before the attacker set fire to the 82-year-old victim – before simply strolling away
Then, out of nowhere, the suspect doused the pensioner in a liquid, thought to be petrol, and set alight to him using a lighter.
The man then strolled away from the scene, as his victim burned, police said.
Following the horror attack, the elderly gentleman was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for severe burns to his arms and face.
CCTV images released today show a man kneeling to pray in the mosque in black trousers and a dark puffer jacket, with a white logo over the left side, before leaving the building with a rucksack on his back, wearing brown shoes.
Investigators acknowledged the anxiety the incident had caused the mosque and its surrounding Muslim community.
Following this, officers have now urged anyone for information, or who recognises the suspect to contact the police.
Detective Sergeant Steven Constable said: ‘I know this will be an incredibly shocking incident for the community and we are carrying out a full investigation into what happened.
‘Understandably, there is a great deal of local concern in the wake of this incident and local officers have been carrying out reassurance patrols daily at the mosque.
‘We are continuing to work alongside the West London Islamic Centre who have been very supportive of our investigation and have been assisting us with our inquiries.
‘A key part of that is identifying the man in the image we have released.’
In urging the public to come forward, he said: ‘If you recognise this man I would urge you to get in touch, either directly with police or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers.
‘I would also urge anyone who witnessed this incident and has not yet spoken to police to please get in touch.’
Anyone who recognises the man or has further information is urged to call police on 101 quoting reference 6422/27FEB.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.