Police appeal over 'suspicious' mosque fire

Police in West Lothian have appealed for information about a suspicious fire in the grounds of a mosque in Livingston at the weekend.

Emergency services were called to the mosque on Craigshill East Road around 1210 BST on Sunday, because of a small fire under a portacabin.

Police have issued a description of a man they wish to contact in connection with the incident, after a witness came forward on Wednesday.

The eyewitness had got on a First Bus 212 around 11:35 am in Broxburn and noticed a man wearing a red jacket sitting across the aisle from her.

She remembered him getting off the bus stop near the mosque and the fact that he was carrying a white carrier bag containing what appeared to be a petrol can. He was last seen walking in the direction of the mosque.

The man is described as white, mid to late 30s, about 6ft 2ins to 3ins tall, of slim build, with short mousey brown which looked unkempt, clean shaven with a long face, but not sharp features.

He was wearing a red 'Trespass' style waterproof jacket with the hood cut. The jacket had navy patches on the shoulders and possibly a horizontal navy stripe around the waist. He was also wearing faded blue denim jeans and spoke with an Edinburgh accent, as opposed to a West Lothian one.

The 212 runs from Edinburgh (Waterloo Place) to Whitburn via Corstorphine, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, Craigshill and Livingston Centre.

Police are keen to trace other passengers on the bus last Sunday morning, particularly an older couple who got on the bus at Uphall and sat behind the man who got off near the mosque.

A police spokesperson said: "This eyewitness has given us a detailed description of a man we would like to question about the incident. We would appeal to anyone who may have information about this crime or recognises the description of the man to come forward. He may have got on the bus anywhere along the route from Edinburgh until getting off in Craigshill.

"Crimes of this nature will not be tolerated."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on: 01506 431200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

(KMcA)