A MAN has been arrested and remains in police custody after a shot was allegedly fired outside York Mosque.
North Yorkshire Police said the motive behind the incident was not yet clear.
Meanwhile, York Central MP Rachael Maskell called for people to "draw together as a community" following the "shocking incident".
Police said the incident took place outside York Mosque and Islamic Centre in Bull Lane at 2.19am on Thursday, July 30.
A 44-year-old man from York, described by police as a white UK national, was arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene in a silver vehicle which was traced by North Yorkshire Police.
The Mosque was closed until around lunchtime today, where a scheduled community kitchen event went ahead as planned
(Image: Kevin Glenton)
The force recovered a weapon confirmed to be an air rifle.
Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble, North Yorkshire Police senior operational commander for York and Selby, said: “This incident is clearly deeply concerning for our communities.
"I can give reassurance that police acted swiftly to arrest the suspect, and a thorough investigation is underway.
"Any suspected offences will be put before the courts.
“Currently the motivation behind the incident is not clear.
"We are carrying out detailed enquiries to get a better understanding of the circumstances which resulted in the man’s arrest."
A police cordon was raised until lunchtime on Thursday at the entrance to the mosque - which was closed - and prevented access between St Nicks Nature Reserve and Environment Centre, Olympian Court and Bull Lane.
Faizal Mohamudbuccus, police liaison officer for York Mosque and Islamic Centre, and a member of its committee, said a message was sent out via the community WhatsApp group to cancel prayers timed for "around 4am".
A street kitchen event planned on site for the whole of the local community was able to go ahead as planned.
Neighbourhood policing teams were engaging with people attending the mosque throughout Thursday and patrols are being stepped up across the city in the coming days.
Faizal Mohamudbuccus said prayers timed for around 4am could not take place at the mosque
(Image: Kevin Glenton)
A University of York master's student living in nearby Arthur Street told how she heard a loud noise during the night.
She said she sometimes feels the area is "quite terrifying" when returning home early in the morning.
However, two nearby residents in Bull Lane flats who did not want to be named said they were asleep and unaware of any disturbance.
One told The Press: "York is normally a nice place - you never hear of any trouble round here, you don't get much trouble."
A commuter passing through Bull Lane described his shock at seeing the police presence.
He said: "It's not something you expect to see at the end of your street."
The mosque is at one end of Bull Lane in York
(Image: Kevin Glenton)
Another resident from Arthur Street, who was out walking his dogs, and who did not want to be named, said he was "shocked" by the incident.
He added that it was the first time anything like this had happened since he moved to the area.
City of York Council's executive member for safer communities, Cllr Anna Perrett, said: "The mosque is more than just a place of worship but a community asset for the whole community, one that should be valued and celebrated for bringing people together.
"I know this will be unsettling for those who attend but my hope is this is a one-off, isolated incident and nothing more.”
City of York Council's executive member for safer communities, Cllr Anna Perrett
(Image: Supplied)
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said: "I am grateful to the police, as always, for all that they are doing to support the community and carry out their enquiries and am currently liaising with them further on this situation.
"It is vital that we ensure everyone is safe and draw together as a community in light of this shocking incident.
York Outer MP Rachael Maskell
(Image: Pic supplied)
"My thoughts are with the York Mosque community at this time, and I'm so grateful to all in our city who have expressed their deep concern for them."
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them on 101, quoting reference 12260145924.