Patronus Analytical

A Thoughtful, Analytical Approach to NGO Security

Arsonists attack Islamic NGO in Scotland

07/07/09 12:13 Filed in: Security Incident

Well, I must admit I never thought I would be writing about an NGO security incident in Scotland but here we go:

On July Arsonists set alit the Glasgow branch of Islamic Relief. The fire caused approximately £70,000 to the international NGO’s charity shop at Albert Drive, Pollokshields. The fire damaged the shop front, a portion of the interior, and rendered the shop’s stock unuseable.

Image of burned Islamic Relief storefront in Glasgow

Police are looking for two white males between the ages of 18 and 25 in connection with the incident. One of the suspects was described as having a slim build, wearing a black hooded jacket with black and white checked lining, a red top and a red 'Ferrari' baseball cap. The other is described as having short dark brown hair and wearing a green top with a white collar.

The incident followed threatening phone calls made to the shop during Islamic Relief’s Gaza emergency appeal in January.

Comment: Ironically Islamic Relief’s shop had better physical security than many NGO facilities in far more dangerous parts of the world. They had good rolling security shutters on the front windows and door, an alarm system (visible in top left of photo), and likely video cameras as well.