Video: watch the moment ‘hate crime’ man tries to set alight Finsbury Park Mosque

This is the man police want to identify after an attempted arson at Finsbury Park Mosque on Friday.

The man was outside the mosque, on St Thomas’s Road, at 8.25pm. Footage shows him approaching it with a bag that contained a jerry can filled with petrol.

He attempted to set this alight before hurling it into the compound of the mosque.

The suspect is described as a white male wearing a white hooded jumper, a white baseball cap and blue jeans. He is believed to have fled the scene on a moped.

The Met said the incident is being treated as an Islamophobic hate crime.

Det Sgt Stuart Smillie, the investigating officer from Islington Police, said: “Scorch marks were found on clothing wrapped around the jerry can. This was a clear and deliberate attempt to cause arson. Although the petrol did not fully ignite, the threat and intent was obvious and the resulting fire could quite easily have endangered anyone inside as well as those living nearby.

“I would urge anyone who recognises the man in this footage to get in touch.”

High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area following this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Islington CID on 0207 421 0262 or by via 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org