Watch the horrific moment hooded thug lights two petrol bombs in daylight before hurling them at Muslim halal butchers
Police insist attack is not linked to steep rise in hate crimes in the wake of Brexit vote
THIS is the shocking moment a vile thug is captured on CCTV lighting two petrol bombs in broad daylight before hurling them at a Muslim halal butchers.
The yob can be seen lighting the bottles at a bus stop before going on to launch them at the shop in Walsall, West Midlands, before running off.
Moments later the Kashmir Meat & Poultry was attacked and a worker narrowly escaped after the business was gutted by flames on Monday.
Yet despite a steep rise in hate crimes since the Brexit vote, West Midlands Police insist they are not treating the incident as a racist attack.
In a bid to track down the thugs, police have released the footage the thug – who is wearing a blue hooded top – carrying out the crime.
Detective Inspector Greg Evans, said: "This was undoubtedly a targeted attack - but we have a positive line of enquiry suggesting it was not based on the victim's membership of any ethnic group.
"We've been speaking to local people and the feeling is that this is not a racially-motivated offence and they have not perceived any increased tension in recent days.
“That sentiment is echoed by the council's community cohesion group.
"We can't get a clear image of the offender's face from the CCTV footage - though he's understood to be a white man - but he is wearing a distinctive two-tone blue jacket.
"I'm convinced someone will recognise that jacket and suspect who may be behind this arson.
"This was a shocking attack on a store in broad daylight and one which could easily have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.
"We need to know who this man is, so please call us or the independent charity Crimestoppers with information."
Police chiefs have announced a five-fold increase in hate crime since Britain chose to leave the EU last Friday.
More than 331 incidents have been reported since Thursday compared with a usual weekly average of 63.
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