The incident occurred around 7pm on October 10th, during busy madrasa pick-up time at the Chester Street mosque.
Planning a night out? See the live What’s On in Blackburn calendar.
According to a statement issued by Lancashire Police, officers had requested a vehicle to stop several times. After the driver allegedly failed to comply, the car was located in the mosque car park, where the woman was detained. She was later released without arrest following enquiries.
“At around 7pm on Friday 10th October, officers requested a car to stop multiple times, and after this request was not followed, they located the car in the car park of Jamia Ghosia Mosque,” the police statement reads.
“The driver was spoken to, and following enquiries, no one was arrested. We acknowledge that a complaint has been made to our professional standards department. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Community Concerns Raised
Local councillor Tahir Mahmood confirmed he has spoken to the woman involved and has submitted a formal complaint on her behalf. In a social media post over the weekend, he described the incident as “distressing” and questioned the use of force in what he called a “peaceful setting.”
“In brief, according to witnesses, police officers exited a riot van and entered the mosque car park, where they forcibly removed and handcuffed a sister who was simply there to collect her children,” Cllr Mahmood wrote.
“After a few minutes, officers reportedly apologised and released her without further action.”
He added that the woman had been offered no formal explanation for the incident at the time, and that the response appeared to be disproportionate.
Cllr Mahmood said he was told by officers that recent events—including a terror attack at a Manchester synagogue earlier this month—may have influenced operational alertness. However, he maintained that there appeared to be “no justification for the manner in which this sister was treated.”
Social Media Reactions
The incident has triggered widespread debate across social media. Some users expressed frustration and anger, accusing the police of targeting the Muslim community, while others urged calm and emphasised the importance of due process and gathering full facts.
A number of users also highlighted concerns about increasing scrutiny of Muslim spaces in the wake of wider tensions in the UK and abroad, particularly in relation to the conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, others commented on the need for transparency, with calls for community leaders, local MPs, and faith groups to be involved in the ongoing review of the complaint.
Police Visibility at Faith Sites
The incident comes as police forces across the UK have heightened their presence around places of worship following the recent attack on a Manchester synagogue that left two worshippers dead. Authorities have said the increased visibility is intended to reassure communities and prevent further violence.
Lancashire Police have not linked the Chester Street incident to any specific threat or intelligence at this time.
📩 If you witnessed the incident or have concerns, you can contact Lancashire Police’s Professional Standards Department via the force’s official website.