Walsall temple attack was 'attack on our values' - Andy Street
The attack on a Walsall Hindu temple that left several statues with their faces smashed in was "an attack on our values", West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has said.
Last month, a suspected hate crime took place outside the Gujarati Hindu Social and Cultural Centre, with CCTV showing a man wearing a hooded jacket repeatedly swinging what is believed to be a wooden stick at religious sculptures.
On Thursday a meeting was held at the centre to show solidarity against the attacks – with an announcement made that they would be applying for a capital grant under the Home Office's Places of Worship Fund for more security equipment around the outside of the temple.
The idea of a Neighbourhood Watch being set up in the area was also discussed, with police encouraging the proposals.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street visited the temple last week to speak to leaders from the temple, where he expressed his concern over the attack.
And he said that, for him, the attack on the temple was an attack on the very ideals on which the West Midlands is based.
“To me this was an attack on our values of tolerance, acceptance and understanding,” he said.
“The Mandir is rightly trying to figure out why this happened and also trying to reassure the devotees that they are safe to attend the Mandir as normal. That to stay at home would be like letting the intolerant attacker win.
“There should be the same response to this as other acts of intolerance. I know other religious places have been similarly attacked to national outcry.
"In the West Midlands our diversity of faith is so important and it needs collective action which is equal for every faith.
“To me the Hindu community have been stalwarts of the West Midlands, a peaceful group who are so spiritual, hard-working and duty-oriented. I understand how the community is feeling let down.
“I will support the Mandir in their application to the Home Office for security funding and I will work with the Council to see what they can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again, in any place of worship.”
