U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced concern Wednesday after police in Manchester arrested a man suspected of carrying weapons into the Manchester Central Mosque, an incident that comes amid the surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes across the world.
"I am concerned to hear of the incident at Manchester Central Mosque last night," Starmer said on social media, adding, "this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan."
"We will not and must not relent in the fight against anti-Muslim hatred," the prime minister told MPs later.
Police in Manchester, northwest England, said they responded to reports Tuesday night of two men entering Manchester Central Mosque carrying "offensive weapons while people were worshipping during the holy month."
Officers arrested one man in his 40s on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of drugs.
