By Gemma Collins EAST End leaders offered their support to the Sikh community this week after its temple went up in flames in a suspected arson attack. Reverend Alan Green of the Inter Faith Forum, Tower Hamlets council leader Lutfur Rahman, and the bo

By Gemma Collins

COMMUNITY leaders today offered their support to East London's Sikhs after their temple went up in flames in a suspected arson attack.

The Rev Alan Green of the Inter Faith Forum, Tower Hamlets council leader Lutfur Rahman, and Chief Supt Paul Rickett were "deeply saddened" about the fire which damaged the Gudwara Sikh Sangat in Harley Grove in Bow on Monday.

Police are treating it as suspicious and are investigating reports of an intruder in the building before the blaze started during a women-only prayer session.

In a joint statement, the leaders, including the temple's management committee member Butta Singh, called for it not to "undermine the mutual support and wider community cohesion."

They said: "Should arson prove to be the cause of the fire, we must be vigilant and stand united in ensuring that any such criminal action does not undermine the extremely positive relationships we have in place.

"We recognise this fire will be traumatic for people and particularly for the Sikh community."

The flames destroyed the community's Guru Grant Shaibs, the Sikh's holy books. A search for a temporary alternative place of worship is now under way.