Man arrested after firearm incident outside Yorkshire mosque

A man has been arrested after a firearm was discharged outside a mosque, police have said.

The incident happened outside York Mosque and Islamic Centre on Bull Lane at around 2.19am on Thursday.

The firearm was believed to be an air weapon, the force said.

The man left the area in a silver vehicle which was traced and an arrest made.

The man remains in custody for questioning.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement: “It is too early to say what may have been the motivation behind this disturbing incident, but our Muslim community in York can be reassured that we are doing everything we can to establish the full circumstances.”

Police will be on patrol in the area around the mosque while people attend for prayer, the force said, and officers will meet the imam.