Crime minister visits Tipton mosque
Security minister James Brokenshire met leaders of the Muslim community in Tipton to pledge his support after an explosion at a town mosque.
His visit came almost two weeks after the blast outside Kanz Ul Iman Masjid Mosque and follows similar explosions in Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Mr Brokenshire was shown where debris from the blast, including nails, had landed just outside the mosque's Binfield Road premises before going inside the building to speak to around 40 members of the religious community.
He said: "My message tonight is to underline the Government's support for the communities that have been affected by these acts of terror in the West Midlands, to show our solidarity with them.
"I want to send a very clear message: that those who might seek to use hatred or terror or extremism to divide us will not succeed."
When asked why it had taken two weeks before a member of the government had visited those affected in Tipton, Mr Brokenshire replied: "We have made known our strong support for the community and there were clear statements that were provided by me, the Home Secretary and others to underline the seriousness we attach to the incident.
"The fact we were regularly updated on what was happening with the police investigation I think underlines the importance the Government attaches to responding to acts of terror in all of their forms.
"That's why I'm here to listen to the community and to make sure that strong message is sent loud and clear.
"Any type of terrorism is taken extremely seriously by the Government."
