A COMMUNITY has expressed outrage after a Mosque was graffitied with detrimental comments about Muslims.

Thornaby Mosque, on Westbury Street in Thornaby, near Stockton, has been graffitied with the slogan “Muslim Cowards”.

It was discovered by a member of the mosque at around 3.45am this morning.

Cleveland Police described the graffiti as “completely unacceptable” and added they were treating it as a hate crime.

Stockton Borough Council has since sent a team to remove the graffiti.

Stephen Downey said on Facebook: “Some people need educating – this is a place of God and a place of worship.

“Real Muslims would have been here praying when the London attack happened.”.

Another person wrote: “Disgusting, we don’t want this in Thornaby. We are a caring town who embrace our true Muslim neighbours.”

Cleveland Police said: “We would reiterate that this type of activity is completely unacceptable and that we are treating it as a hate crime.”

Officers said anyone with information should call 101. Anyone who was a victim of hate crime could call police or report it via the True Vision organisation instead.