Hate letter delivered to Rotherham Muslim

DISTURBING “punish a Muslim”-style hate letters have been sent to three people in South Yorkshire — including one in Rotherham.

The malicious notes encourage people to attack Muslims on a specific date in July.

Similar letters were sent to numerous Muslims earlier this year, encouraging people to “punish a Muslim” in April.

South Yorkshire Police today (Tuesday) issued a joint message on behalf of Supt Steve Chapman and Sam Barstow, Rotherham Council’s head of community safety.

Supt Chapman said: “The letter aims to cause fear and distress to people in communities and, particularly to Muslim communities, in that it urges attacks on Muslims on a specific date in July. One person in Rotherham and three people in Sheffield have received letters.

“There is no information that suggests there is any specific threat to our communities arising from this letter. The letters are being taken extremely seriously and a thorough police investigation is underway.”

He added: “If anyone receives a hate letter, once they open it and recognise it as hate mail, you should put it down without handling it again, to preserve any possible forensic evidence, and call the police on 101.

“We recognise the distressing nature of the letters, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, and we stand together with Muslim communities in Rotherham.

“We condemn these vile letters and we will not tolerate hate within our communities. We will continue to work with partners to prevent hate crime and to support our diverse communities.”

Anyone with concerns about the letters — or hate crime more generally — call Rotherham Council’s community safety unit on 01709 822772.

Specific incidents of hate crime should be reported to the police.