(Image: Kevin Glenton)
The president of York Mosque has praised a “brave member of the community” for contacting police after a shot was reportedly fired outside.
Mohamad Douba said a member of the mosque “noticed suspicious activity and heard what appeared to be a shooting” in the early hours of Thursday (July 30).
North Yorkshire Police said a man was arrested after a shot was reportedly fired using an air rifle at about 2.20am.
Mr Douba said a member of the mosque's community "immediately contacted the police" after a shot was reportedly fired and officers "attended the scene promptly".
“We would like to thank our brave member of the community for their quick thinking and for immediately alerting the police," he said.
Mr Douba said the mosque is “grateful that no one was injured, and there have been no reports of any members of our congregation, staff, volunteers or students being harmed”.
A police cordon remains in the area with the mosque closed “as a precaution” while officers work at the scene, he said.
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Mr Douba thanked police for “their swift response and for their continued support in ensuring the safety of our community”.
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities and will provide an update to the community once we have confirmation that it is safe to reopen,” he said. “We will inform everyone as soon as the mosque is ready to resume normal activities.
“The safety and wellbeing of our worshippers, students, staff, volunteers and the wider community remain our highest priority.
“We kindly ask everyone to avoid speculation and to allow the police to carry out their investigation.”
He urged anyone with information about the reported incident to contact police quoting reference number 12260145924.
Police said a 44-year-old York man, described as a white UK national, was arrested following the alleged incident and remains in custody.