Overview

• Emergency services were called shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday after flames damaged the mosque’s front entrance and completely burned out a car, with two people inside escaping unharmed.
• Sussex Police say the attack is being investigated as arson with intent to endanger life and a hate crime, and they have stepped up patrols to reassure places of worship across the county.
• Officers released images of two balaclava-clad suspects and highlighted distinctive items — a black jacket with a Pre London logo and bright red gloves — as they appealed for CCTV, doorbell, dashcam and mobile footage.
• Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the incident deeply concerning and urged unity, while police said the case is not currently being treated as terror-related.
• Local and national figures condemned the attack, which follows a rise in religiously motivated violence in the UK, and the mosque’s managers noted prior harassment including eggs thrown and slurs.