Racism 'not behind mosque attack'

Police have a suspect but say there was no racist or religious vendetta behind swastikas and the number 666 being daubed on a Lower Hutt mosque.

The Islamic Centre in Taita sustained the graffiti damage yesterday and the mosque's Iman Hanif Khan said it was just the latest in a string of attacks on the mosque.

But Acting Senior Sergeant Eric Tibbott of Lower Hutt today said police had found a number of nearby houses had also suffered identical damage.

"Police do not suspect the incident was either religiously or racially motivated , and can be described as mindless juvenile vandalism."

Mr Tibbott said local residents had provided details of a person who would be questioned over the next few days.

- NZPA