A planning application to create a new community centre in Exeter has been withdrawn following an anonymous campaign against it.
This week the Echo reported how a Muslim family who have lived in Exeter for 15 years feared for their safety after a leaflet and offensive sticker campaign, following plans for a new meeting space in St Thomas for the South West Ahlulbayt Centre – a Shia Muslim organisation.
The Hameed family and other members of the centre behind the application are so upset at the response to the plan they have withdrawn it today.
A police spokesperson said: "Neighbourhood officers have been working closely with Mr Hameed since the posters and subsequent stickers came to light.
"Today he informed both the police and Exeter City Council he has now decided to withdraw his planning application for a new community centre in St Thomas.
"Mr Hameed has asked us to thank those who have shown support to him, his family and the Muslim community thorough out this incident.
"We will continue to investigate are still appealing for witnesses."
A group calling itself the St Thomas Residents Awareness Alliance distributed leaflets to homes in St Thomas last week in response to a planing application to change the vacant John Holt Beds building into a community centre.
Headed "important notice" the leaflet gives information about the plans, but the tone and wording has caused concern because it highlights and underlines the words Shia Muslim three times, and uses the Help for Heroes logo without the charity's permission.
It had no contact for the 'alliance' and it has been criticised for hiding behind anonymity.
In a separate incident, an offensive sticker was placed at the vacant John Holt Beds building in Buller Road, where the centre is planned, last week. It depicted two headless people and features the words Jihad Zone.
It also included a Labour Party logo but had nothing to do with the party.
Police confirmed they were investigating the sticker as a 'hate crime'.
The planning application was made on behalf of the local Shia Muslim organisation by Mahmood Hameed, a businessman who has lived in Exeter for the last 15 years.
The centre has been based at rented premises at the Wonford Community Learning Centre for seven years. The group has around 150 members.
Earlier this week Mr Mahmood said: "We keep to ourselves and are not the type of people who want, or try, to cause a problem. We are honest and peaceful people. We don't antagonise anyone."
The police would like to hear from anyone who has any information in relation to the posters or the stickers. Call 101, quoting crime reference CR/009785/15, email us 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
