Man who used knife in fight outside mosque jailed

The incident took place outside a mosque shortly after Friday prayers

A man who armed himself with a knife during a street fight outside a mosque has been jailed for three years.

Bedfordshire Police were called to Dallow Road, Luton, on 17 January after a large-scale fight erupted between two rival groups.

Hamza Arshad was seen on CCTV footage retrieving a knife from his car and then lunging at two men before fleeing the scene, the force said.

He was sentenced at Luton Crown Court after admitting to two charges of grievous bodily harm and another charge of possessing a knife.

The road outside Luton and Dunstable University Hospital was cordoned off by armed police after two injured men arrived at casualty.

Three other men have already been jailed for their roles in the disorder, while a 19-year-old remains on remand.

Det Con Chloe Plowman, who led the investigation, said: "The violence that broke out in broad daylight, outside a mosque shortly after Friday prayers, was extremely alarming and completely unacceptable.

"Violence of this kind doesn't just cause immediate injuries – it spreads fear and has a lasting impact on the wider community.

"We remain committed to ensuring that those who arm themselves with knives and resort to violence will be held accountable for the harm they cause."