Greater Manchester are aware that since Friday afternoon (09/03/18) a number of letters have been reported to local forces, which feature anti-Muslim messaging. To date it has been confirmed that messages have been received in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Leicestershire and London. These letters are intended to cause fear and offence.
The incidents are being investigated and all reports are being recorded as hate crime. Counter Terrorism Policing North East are providing national coordination for the investigation.
As yet we have had no known reports in the Greater Manchester area.
We strongly advise everyone that should you receive a letter you report it to us straight away. If you do receive a letter, parcel or other post to your premises that is threatening or abusive please follow the below guidelines:
- Keep the number of people who handle the letter and the envelope to a minimum. This is to allow the Police the best chance to identify the sender through use of forensic techniques and minimise the risk of harm.
- Place the letter and the envelope in a clean plastic bag or similar (such as a sandwich bag) to stop further contamination.
- Call the local Police and inform them. They will assess what you have received and know the procedure to follow.
Greater Manchester Police does not condone this behaviour and we will take all reports very seriously. Our priority as a force is always public safety and should we have any reports we will work hard to identify the suspect(s) involved.
To contact the police in an emergency call 999 or to contact Greater Manchester Police for a less urgent matter call 101.
For the latest news and information about your Neighbourhood Policing Team visit www.gmp.police.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/gmpolice or find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GtrManchesterPolice , Flickr: www.flickr.com/gmpolice1 or YouTube: www.youtube.com/gmpolice
If you need to report a Hate Crime here is more information as well as lists of places you can report:
Tameside: www.tameside.gov.uk/imnotlaughing/reporting/locations
Oldham: www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200321/crime_and_safety/865/report_crime/2