• Update, 4pm Thursday

POLICE have released a statement this afternoon saying the two people arrested have been released under investigation, and there will be no further updates today.

  • Original story

A VIDEO of a man apparently burning a copy of the Muslim holy book is understood to have led to two race hatred arrests in Worcestershire.

West Mercia Police have confirmed they have arrested two people on suspicion of causing race hatred in connection with an offensive Facebook post.

Police would not say what the post contained, but it is understood it is a video showing a man ripping a Koran and then throwing it into a fire.

Police say a 45-year-old man from Worcestershire has been arrested on suspicion of posting videos or images likely to cause racial hatred and a 45-year-old woman from Evesham has also been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.

Copies of the Koran are treated with high regard by Muslims and any move to desecrate or destroy the holy book is seen as an insult.

The incident was reported to police by several people who had seen it on Facebook on Tuesday, (June 6). It is understood the video was later deleted after it sparked a number of angry comments.

But the video was also posted to You Tube on Tuesday with the description: "This human being needs to learn to respect others and their religion."

Police have not confirmed this footage is the offensive post, adding they may make a further statement today.

But Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: “This was a concerning incident and we will be carrying out a thorough investigation.

“It is being investigated as a hate crime.

“We have been in contact with our local Muslim community via Councillor Jabba Riaz, deputy Mayor for Worcester, who as always acts as a critical friend in support of what we do.

“If anyone has any concerns about social media posts that potentially incite hate I would urge them not to share the posts but to report the incident to the police and social media company at the earliest opportunity.”

Cllr Riaz told the Worcester News he had seen the post, and thanked officers for dealing with it promptly.

"There is a good relationship with West Mercia Police in the city," Cllr Riaz said.

"The police are open, reactive and prompt with their dealing with any incidents of this nature.

"We thank them for their hard work in the city."