After the burning of a 82-year-old man last month outside a mosque in west London, detectives have made a photograph of a man they want to speak to public.
The victim was allegedly drenched in a substance thought to be petrol before being set ablaze with a lighter at around 8 o’clock on February 27. The Metropolitan Police has issued a photo of the individual in question.
Before carrying out the attack, the suspect, according to detectives, spoke to the victim for about five minutes as they both exited the West London Islamic Centre on Singapore Road in Ealing.
He then walked away. The 82-year-old was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for severe burns to his face and arms.
Detective Sergeant Steven Constable urged anyone who recognises the suspect to contact police.
He said: ‘I know this will be an incredibly shocking incident for the community and we are carrying out a full investigation into what happened.
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‘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.
‘I would also urge anyone who witnessed this incident and has not yet spoken to police to please get in touch.’