Peacehaven mosque arson

On 4 October 2025, Peacehaven Community Centre & Mosque in East Sussex was set on fire in a suspected hate crime. CCTV footage showed two masked individuals spraying an accelerant on the front door before igniting a fire.^[1][2][3] As of 10 October, police had arrested four men under suspected connection with the attack, all of whom had been released under conditional bail. On 17 October, Crimestoppers announced a reward of £10,000 for information leading to a conviction.^[4] On 23 October, two suspects were charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the attack, with a trial due to start at the Old Bailey on 14 November.^[5][6]

Peacehaven mosque arson
Location	Phyllis Avenue, Peacehaven, East Sussex, England
Date	4 October 2025 (2025-10-04) 9:50 PM (UTC)
Target	Peacehaven Community Centre & Mosque
Attack type	Arson
Motive	Suspected Islamophobic hate crime

Background

The attack took place two days after an attack on a synagogue in Manchester, which left three people dead, including the attacker. Tell MAMA, an anti-Islamophobia group, had recorded 6,000 Islamophobic incidents in the UK in 2024, a record high since it began recording statistics in 2012.^[7]

Reactions

The attack was condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.^[2] On 10 October, local MP Chris Ward and members of the Muslim Council of Britain visited the mosque during the first Friday prayer since the attack took place.^[8]