'Mosque-busters' leaflet delivered by EDL activist in Purley
THE man attempting to stir up fears over plans to build a mosque in Purley is a far-right activist and avid supporter of the woman accused of racially abusing people on a tram.
English Defence League member Frank Day proudly claims to have put leaflets through the doors of 600 homes in the area.
His "Does Croydon need a mosque here?" leaflet contains information about a proposal to build an Islamic centre at 5 Russell Hill Place.
It urges residents to fight the application in the belief it will cause traffic issues.
But despite his apparent concerns over parking issues in Purley, Mr Day lives six miles away on the New Addington estate – and freely admits he would object to a mosque being built anywhere.
Resident and Purley and Woodcote Residents' Association member Andrew Frazer was one of those to have received a letter.
He said: "He (Mr Day) dropped a leaflet through the door and came back later after delivering some through other doors.
"He said, 'we don't agree with it, we are dead against it, we want as many people to complain to Croydon Council as possible'.
"He visited twice and when he came back after the first time he said 'if you want to find out more go to Mosque Busters by typing it into Google'."
We tracked Mr Day to his home in Arnhem Drive, which he shares with his 86-year-old mother.
Here he told us that the information contained in his leaflets came directly from "Mosquebuster" Gavin Boby.
Mr Boby is a professional planning consultant who has posted videos on the internet advising people how to defeat applications for Islamic places of worship.
Mr Day, who was arrested at an EDL rally in November, told the Advertiser that "they" (Muslims) were "taking over" and that "one mosque is too many".
The 64-year-old added he had attended a court appearance of Emma West, who is accused of racially abusing people on a tram, to show his support.
Purley and Woodcote Residents' Association chairman Tarsem Flora said: "People are not silly and can come to their own conclusions. But if they are at all concerned then of course they can contact us."
Purley councillor Badsha Quadir has said he believes the leaflets are 'racially motivated' and is seeking advice from police.
He told the Advertiser: "My colleagues and I are concerned about this extremist leafleting.
"I understand residents are concerned. It is not for people to come from New Addington and say what should happen in Purley.
"I would not go to New Addington and comment on their amenities.
"The leaflet appears racially motivated and I will speak to the borough commander about this issue and see what he can do."
Police advised anyone concerned by the leaflets or the manner in which they were being given out to contact their local safer neighbourhood team on 020 8721 2467.
In December last year the Advertiser reported how members of Purley Islamic Community Centre revealed plans for a place of worship to double up as a community centre, with a formal planning application registered by the council last month.
73 Comments
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by johnmerton
Sunday, March 04 2012, 6:59PM
“comments suggest quite few sado racists in croydon”
by RichEPS
Friday, March 02 2012, 12:21PM
“I see the rabid uaf supporters are in attendance still. How come your not out attacking defenceless women or throwing darts at politicians, havent you got a riot to attend? uaf are nothing but violent communist supporting thugs you have no right to lecture anyone.”
by johnmerton
Friday, February 17 2012, 11:34AM
“EDL Racist nazi scum who will be beaten as the BNP NF were”
by Chris_Wilcox
Thursday, February 16 2012, 8:20PM
“The amusing thing is it won't be me who diagnoses you if you're arrested and The Police get suspicious about your Mental Health and seek advice...
You is growed ups. It's your choice.”
by tbabygib
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:28PM
“Every day,
In Everyway,
You are sounding More deluded.!
If Your Not Bad,
You Must be Mad.!
And, So My message Is concluded.:)”
by tbabygib
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:20PM
“Wilcox, Are there not a lot of Muslums making a lot of money from the people of this country by selling Alcohol?
Double standards or what?”
by Chris_Wilcox
Thursday, February 16 2012, 6:52PM
“Now add to that how our City Centres are so dominated with alcohol and gambling related activities these days ( both of which Muslims do not do or enjoy ) and...
And that is why they form their own little patches and stay away. Does it make more sense now? Did I use language that was simple enough?
Don't worry. There's always google...”
by Chris_Wilcox
Thursday, February 16 2012, 6:37PM
“One last point. On why some Muslims stick together and do not mix with anyone else:
Ok, if you've fled abuse and torture ( be you Indian, Pakistani, Arab, or... [/LegalDisclaimerInCaseAnotherPedentHasKittens] ) you may well be mentally wounded. Mental Health problems. And at that point you will hide in places that feel safe and familiar. Like a community very much like the one at home. It's the nature of the illness. As the world gets a lot more complex and scary you fall back to the familiar. ( sound familiar at all? )
And you may well be afraid of what's around you as you make your home in a new country. The unknown, and how you're still traumatised from losing your home. You may even get angry due to your fear and yell abuse at someone at some point. It's the nature of Mental Illness, and torture and persecution are definitely not fun.
Mental Health problems are made worse by stress. Being poor is stressful. Being miles from friends and family, where you have had to flee, is far from comfy as well. It all adds up.
Now add to that a bunch of the local white-folk, a majority in most places so able to create the illusion there are more of them then there actually are, who want to pack you off back home ( back to the torture etc etc ) or drive you off the streets simply as you are different and... Yup, there's that fear again.
You'll find a lot of the time they won't mix with you as they are afraid of you. Or they do not like you so avoid you.
Why would they not like you? You keep picking on them because of their culture/ faith. Blaming them for things they mostly have not done. They aren't going to like you are they?
All you have to do is leave them alone and they'll mix more as they learn to trust the community around them. But I get the impression you'd rather they be afraid. They're more likely to leave then, so your White Trash mates can nick their homes.”
by Chris_Wilcox
Thursday, February 16 2012, 4:43PM
“Even when provided with evidence your entire movement is in the wrong country you still go for innocent locals. As a general observation you EDL types seem very fanatical. Or simply lazy ( the lack of willingness to travel to the right countries ) and, well, fanatical again. That fanaticism is always there, no matter how wrong you reliably get it.
It's almost like you're expecting virgins in heaven...”
by Chris_Wilcox
Thursday, February 16 2012, 4:19PM
“@The_floyd:
Much as I agree Labours' immigration policy wasn't the best please don't forget how much of our immigration is from Eastern Europe.
And what if said migrants have the skills you clearly do not have? Would you rather see the economy suffer and local jobs not being created as you weren't that great at thermodynamics?
And I think you'll find it's religious extremists that provided that list you have put forward. The same religious extremists we happily banned and locked up.
*points at google* Get to it man.”