UK counter-terrorism police are investigating reports that far-right groups are using uncertainty about the coronavirus to inflame hatred against Muslims.
Anti-racism activists have recorded cases where people have made incorrect and misleading claims.
One Twitter account notorious for promoting Islamophobic and anti-Semitic conspiracies claimed worshippers in north London were “arrogantly” ignoring medical advice to stay at home and not attend gatherings.
But monitoring group Tell Mama found the video of people at a mosque was several weeks old, before the UK government brought in stricter measures on freedom of movement.
The account has since been temporarily restricted.
“We have urged Twitter to revise its policies and allow users to report tweets designed to mislead that stoke racial and religious hatred," Tell Mama said.
Police in central England were forced to refute misleading claims that a mosque had failed to close despite the government ordering a lockdown.
“Called my local Mosque in Shrewsbury to see if it was closed as per the new law and government guidance,” the tweet said.
"Horrified to discover that they are still open and allowing people in. These idiots will be super spreaders of the virus."
The tweeter asked police why they had not taken action.
“Probably because there is no mosque in Shrewsbury," Shropshire Police responded.
"There is a prayer centre and it has been checked and is fully compliant with the current government requirements."
Tell Mama said: “The tweet did attract attention from a plethora of nationalist and far-right accounts, but a clear majority of the replies condemned the malicious tweet."
Despite this the original tweet is still online and has Islamophobic comments below it.
Controversial right-wing activists Katie Hopkins and Tommy Robinson are among those accused of spreading rumours.
Counter-terrorism police will investigate if the far-right is hijacking the coronavirus debate to promote anti-Muslim hatred, The Guardian newspaper reported.
“We have become aware that this is being used as an opportunity by right-wing groups to point the blame at some ethnic groups,” said David Jamieson, police commissioner for the West Midlands.
"It does not take a lot for these things to break down and for tensions to arise in these communities. It’s something we are monitoring very closely."
