A TASK force established to protect Keighley and Bradford mosques and their worshippers against hate crimes plans to stage an emergency meeting.

Rafiq Sehgal, vice-president of Bradford Council For Mosques, which also covers some mosques in Keighley, said Muslims had feared attacks even before one man died and nine others were injured when a van was rammed worshippers near Finsbury Park Mosque, north London, early on Monday. (June 19)

He warned the threat of such attacks in the Keighley and Bradford districts was now “real”, and that mosques had to find ways of staying safe.

Mr Sehgal said: "After the incidents in Manchester and London we anticipated there may be some real backlash against the Islam community and particularly our places of faith. The police are very well aware of our concerns."

He acknowledged police had increased surveillance of mosques but he called for that to be intensified.

"We're setting up a group so we can look at a raft of security measures and see how we can support mosques to be more vigilant and alert to keep themselves protected," he said.

Keighley Central ward councillor Khadim Hussain, who usually attends Keighley's Ghosiyah Mosque, in Showfield, said he feared each case of terrorist violence in England could be inspiring the next.

Commenting on the attack against the London mosque-goers he said: "There are some very sick-minded people around, and at the next mosque prayers I go to I'll warn people to be vigilant.

"We have to be proactive, it's no use just sitting and waiting for the next tragedy to occur.

"Maybe we need to have someone at the door keeping a look-out while people are inside praying.

"Or maybe we need to look into having some sort of electronic key system."

Fellow Keighley Central councillor and this year's Bradford Lord Mayor Cllr Abid Hussain, who prays at Keighley's Markazi Jamia Mosque in Emily Street, said people must be calm but on their guard.

He said the terrorist threat was a national problem, with security now a matter of concern for all places of worship.

Keighley MP John Grogan said: "The response of the imam and the worshippers at the mosque in London in response to this terror attack was the very Best of British.

"They helped to apprehend the driver of the van and give aid to those injured.

"I'll be speaking to police in Keighley and to local mosques to listen to any concerns and discuss security.

"The best response to this attack is for us all to carry on with our daily lives, but as a society we must redouble our efforts to combat extremism wherever it originates."

Chief superintendent Scott Bisset, Bradford district commander, said: "During the holy period of Ramadan and the impending festival of Eid, I'm committed to ensuring people of faith can practice freely without fear of being targeted.

"The police and community continue to work together to understand the fear people are feeling and provide effective reassurance."

West Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said: "This was yet another senseless attack on members of the community, and I want to pass my thoughts and condolences onto those caught up in this awful incident.

“Attacks of this kind are an attack on us all. They aim to divide us and cause tensions in our communities and we'll not allow this to happen.

“In West Yorkshire we know we're stronger and more powerful when we come together. We will not let people who want to cause harm dictate how we live."