Arrest over social media post about mosque plan

The derelict pub will be converted into a place of worship

A woman has been arrested over comments made online about plans to convert a disused Leicester pub into a mosque.

The Eyres Monsell Community Foundation has been given approval to change The Glen in Hillsborough Road, Glen Parva, from a pub to a place of worship.

On Saturday, Leicestershire Police said comments posted online about the application led to the arrest of a 23-year-old woman on suspicion of sending threatening communication.

The force said on Monday she remains on bail pending further investigation.

A spokesperson for the South Leicester beat team said a "small number" of comments were "encouraging or inciting people to engage in criminal activity" to stop the plan.

The spokesperson added: "It is an offence to encourage or incite people to break the law and officers will be taking appropriate action.

"We ask that people are mindful of the comments being made on social media."

They added that "reassurance patrols" were being carried out following the comments.

The foundation had been based in Eyres Monsell since 2019, according to planning documents, but due to high demand people have had to be turned away from Friday prayers.

Members of Leicester City Council's planning committee approved the change of use of the pub, which closed in 2022, at a meeting on Wednesday.