CCTV shows man set fire to mosque in Scotland

The incident occurred on November 17, four days after the Paris terror attacks

CCTV footage of a deliberate fire set in a mosque in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks has been released by police.

The blaze occurred at Bishopbriggs Cultural Centre in Auchinairn Road in the East Dunbartonshire town at about 2.15am on November 17.

No-one was injured but thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the building.

Police Scotland said the fire was set deliberately and have now released CCTV footage showing a man entering with a torch, pouring a flammable substance on the floor of a number of rooms and then lighting it.

He is around 5ft 10ins and was wearing a blue tracksuit, a hat with a luminous band at the back, and dark shoes. He was carrying a JD Sports draw-string bag over his shoulder and had a scarf over his face.

(Police Scotland)

It was said at the time the blaze may have been set in response to the terror attacks in Paris just four days earlier and police called on Scotland to unite against such retaliation.

Detective Constable Stephen Cooke said: "This was a deliberate and dangerous act which has caused extensive damage to the centre.

"I would appeal to anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV images to contact police as he may hold information vital to our inquiry.

"Anyone with information about this incident can call police on 101 or alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given anonymously."

Speaking after the blaze, Shafiq Sharif, the secretary of the cultural centre, said: "I was shocked when I found out this happened.

"My family have been living in Bishopbriggs for the past 57 years and we have never had any problem like this before. I'm really saddened and hope the police can solve this matter."

Additional reporting by Press Association