2 hours ago
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Eddie Mitchell
Police previously said they were treating the fire at a mosque in Peacehaven as a hate crime
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at a mosque in East Sussex.
Sussex Police said a 46-year-old man was in custody after an arrest was made on Monday afternoon.
Officers had published CCTV images of two suspects after fire crews were called to the mosque on Phyllis Avenue in Peacehaven at about 21:50 BST on Saturday.
No-one was injured in the incident but the front entrance of the building and a vehicle parked outside were damaged, according to police.
Det Ch Insp Mark Cullimore from the force's Surrey and Sussex major crime team said the "investigation is progressing at pace" and officers were "pursuing all lines of enquiry to identify those responsible for this appalling and reckless attack".
Sussex Police said on Sunday it was investigating the incident as a hate crime.
Watch: Footage shows large fire burning at Peacehaven mosque
Supt Rachel Swinney said there were "additional patrols taking place at places of worship across Sussex to provide visibility and reassurance".
"We will continue to engage with our religious communities to support them and ensure their concerns are heard and acted upon," she said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson said the incident was "appalling" and that an attack on Muslims was an attack on all Britons.
