Mosque ransacked by louts in repeat attack

Heartbreak as burglars take items and cause £30k-worth of damage

- By STEPHEN TOPPING

JUBILATION turned to heartbreak in a matter of hours as a Stockport mosque was ransacked. Muslims across Greater Manchester celebrated Eid al-Fitr, following the month of Ramadan, on Friday.

But as members of one mosque returned for early morning prayers yesterday, their spirits were dampened. Elaf Masjid, in Cheadle Heath, was broken into overnight with the suspect causing damage believed to be worth more than £30,000.

It's the latest incident to hit the mosque, which has already been targeted by vandals and burglars multiple times in the 12 months since it opened.

The latest culprit was captured approaching the mosque on CCTV but then the footage ends, as the offender damaged the system and tripped the power circuit.

They damaged windows, the front door and lock box as they forced their way in, before taking an estimated £5,000 in cash which would have gone towards the mosque’s running and to support people in need. They also destroyed a new sound system installed before Ramadan, worth £6,000.