Tipton mosque terror blast designed to "cause serious harm"
[gallery] An explosion near Tipton mosque was designed to cause "serious harm or serious damage", police said.
Police called to investigate reports of a loud bang spotted smoke, debris and nails, prompting an evacuation of residents living near the Kanz-ul-Iman Muslim Welfare Association Central Jamia Mosque in Binfield Street.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "An investigation is being led by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit and it is being treated as a terrorist incident."
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann said this afternoon that the location of the blast, coupled with the cat it concided with prayers, and the discovery of nails, led officers to believe terrorism was behind the explosion.
He added: "Someone who did this looked to cause serious harm or serious damage to property."
Mr Cann confirmed that no one had been injured, but a window of a house had been damaged.
Roads closures included Sedgley Road East at Dudley Port, Dudley Port at Tudor Court, Jays Avenue at Tudor Court/Tudor Street, Park Lane East at Slater Street, Crompton Road at Martin Road and Victoria Road at Park Street.
Officers were called to Binfield Street just after 1pm and a cordon was set up immediately.
There are no reports of any injuries, but police have evacuated the area as a precaution.
