WORSHIPPERS at the Kanzul Iman Masjid in Tipton have this evening been allowed back inside the building.
A doctors surgery and nearby church have also been re-opened following the incident on Friday (12 July).
Residents reported hearing a loud bang in wasteland off Binfield Street at around 1pm which scattered debris over a large area and into local gardens. A major investigation was immediately launched with the explosion being treated as an act of terrorism.
Officers conducting fingertip searches in Binfield Street have completed work in the immediate vicinity of the building but the mosque car park remains closed. Until all enquiries are completed worshippers will only be allowed to access the site on foot.
The first prayers offered in the mosque are scheduled to take place at 9.30pm on Sunday. People evacuated from their homes were allowed back Saturday evening.
Specially trained officers have been searching the area for the past two days and will be continuing these detailed and extensive searches over the next few days as the investigation continues.
Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale (pictured), who is leading the investigation, said: “We’re really pleased that we have been able to return the area to some sort of normality, with everybody able to access their homes, the GP surgery, the church and the mosque. However this does not mean that the inquiry is in any way winding down.
“This is a massive investigation being led by our Counter Terrorism Unit with many officers and experts all working to find the offender or offenders. Our forensic teams will continue their detailed searches in and around the area, making sure that we uncover every piece of forensic evidence possible, particularly at the seat of the explosion.
“Teams of officers are also continuing with house to house enquiries as well as trawling CCTV in the area.
“I’d like to reiterate my thanks to the local residents for their patience during this difficult period − the families who had to be moved out of their homes through to the wider faith organisations have been extremely supportive throughout the investigation and continue to help our officers.
“This was a terrible attack which had the potential to cause serious harm to lots of people. Thankfully these people have failed to achieve their aims and have simply united the wider community further.”
Anyone with information − particularly anyone who saw people acting suspiciously around the disused railway line behind Kanzul Iman Masjid on Friday morning or the days leading up to the explosion − is urged to call police on 101.
Those who do not wish to speak with police officers directly should call independent charityCrimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Anyone with information on possible terrorist activity should call the national anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321.
For updates on the work of the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, visit:www.facebook.com/wmctupreventteam