Man in custody after Muslim man was set alight in Birmingham is also arrested for London attack

A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was set alight in Birmingham has now been arrested for a similar incident in the Ealing area of London on Monday 27 February at around 8pm.

The suspect engaged the victim in conversation as they both left the West London Islamic Centre. They had been speaking for around five minutes when the suspect doused the victim in a liquid, believed to be petrol, before setting him alight using a lighter. The suspect then walked away.

The victim was taken to hospital where he received treatment for severe burns to his face and arms, police said.

West Midlands Police said the 70-year-old victim who was set alight on Shenstone Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham, just after 7pm on Monday 20 March as he walked home from Dudley Road mosque remains in hospital with severe injuries.

A statement from West Midlands Police, wrote: “At this stage we cannot speculate around the motive for the attacks, this is a live investigation and our main aim is to make sure communities are safe and that we bring justice for the victims.”