Arrests made over Shrewsbury Prayer Centre comments

The action follows a number of complaints from members of the public concerning allegedly racist or offensive posts on the social media site.

Officers investigating the incident arrested the man – who is in his 20s and from Shrewsbury on suspicion of using words or carrying out behaviour likely to stir up racial hatred. His computers were also seized. He has since been released on police bail while police continue their inquiries.

Two other men – also in their 20s and from the town – were spoken to by officers last night in connection with comments they had made about the centre on Facebook. Both men have agreed to remove their posts from the site and not to add any further comments.

A fourth man is also on police bail after being arrested on Thursday, 9 May, on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with earlier comments made on a social media site about the centre.

Policing commander for Shropshire, Superintendent James Tozer, said: “I will reiterate what I said yesterday about this matter: we take all reports of racism extremely seriously and it will not be tolerated in our towns and cities.

“A full investigation into the complaints is now underway and I would urge anyone else who is considering putting any comments on social media to think very carefully before you post anything.

“If you think what you write may be seen by others as offensive or potentially racist, then simply don’t risk putting it on there. If you do, there’s a chance that someone may make a complaint to the police about what you have written and we are obliged to investigate it.

“With regards to this particular issue, there has been a local prayer room in Shrewsbury for the last ten years and its users are a welcome and well established part of our community.

“We are working closely with them and other community groups to prevent any escalation of this situation.”