Dundee police have been in touch with city mosques in the wake of terror attacks in England to encourage worshippers to report any concerns relating to extremism
The City of Discovery’s new temporary area commander Nicola Russell was unveiled to members of the public on Wednesday.
Ms Russell revealed preventing radicalisation and community safety to be at the forefront of her local policing priorities.
As part of those efforts, community police have reached out to all mosques within Dundee to offer advice and support.
Ms Russell revealed: “Yesterday (Tuesday), one of my locality inspectors was in touch with all of our mosques to provide reassurance and an updated community safety message around the horrendous events which have taken place. We’ll be providing reassurance and support patrols.
“Is it something we will continue to do and develop? Absolutely.
“The risk of radicalisation is a risk across the country and I think we would be naive to say we are in Scotland, or in Dundee, it won’t happen here. If you’re concerned, speak up. We can’t be naive.”
Ms Russell continued: “If there is a threat to anybody and someone is concerned about someone’s behaviour or actions, then they absolutely need to report it and then it will be dealt with appropriately.
“We want to hear from our communities about concerns that they have.”
The news comes as the secretary of the Tayside Islamic Centre described the men behind terror attacks in Manchester and London as “the dogs of hell”.
Qaiser Habib, secretary of the mosque on Dundee’s Victoria Road, insisted the “terrible acts” are “an affront to common values of decency and civilised behaviour”.
Mr Habib said it is more important than ever for all members of society to remain united against extremism.
He said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent series of brutal attacks on innocent members of the public.
“We condemn such acts in the strongest possible terms.
“We pray for those who have been killed or injured, and send our deepest sympathies to their families.
“We applaud the prompt actions of the police and emergency services, who truly do us all proud.”
Mr Habib’s comments come after Imam Hamza, from Dundee Central Mosque, said hate preachers should leave the UK.
Mr Habib continued: “It is even more incumbent in the wake of this spate of incidents that we stand together, undivided, and in solidarity.
“It is the desire of the perpetrators to cause division and discord between different communities, but they will never achieve their wicked aims.
“We believe it is the duty of all responsible citizens to not just condemn these acts, but to combat extremism in all its forms, countering its ideological foundations and dealing with the factors that produce such cruel and bloodthirsty individuals.
“There is never any excuse or pretext for terrorism, and all terrorists, according to the pure teachings of Islam, are the dogs of hell.”
