Council leaders and senior police officers have said there is ‘no  place for hate’ after a pig’s head was thrown into the home of a Muslim family.

The incident happened in Shear Brow, Blackburn, at 10.35pm on Sunday, February 18.

Shards of glass could be seen strewn across the front room of the property, with a severed pig's head and a large stone also visible on the carpeted floor of the sitting room.

The family said they were 'extremely distressed' by the incident, but did not wish to make any further comment at this time.

READ MORE: Pig’s head and brick thrown into Muslim home in Blackburn

Blackburn with Darwen Council said it is working closely with police following the disturbing incident., which is being treated as a hate crime.

Consuming pork or other pig products is forbidden in Islam, Judaism, and certain denominations of Christianity.

Lancashire Telegraph: The pig's head and stoneThe pig's head and stone (Image: Nq)

Deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Quesir Mahmood, said: “We are so sorry this has happened in our town and that innocent people have been affected.

"Acts of this kind are designed to divide us.

“We take great pride in our diversity here, it’s definitely one of our strengths. There is no place in our town for hate crime of any type.

"Just this weekend we were celebrating the very best of Blackburn and our community cohesion with dozens of inspirational people [at the 1V Awards].

“We know that incidents of this kind are few and far between and that’s down to efforts of many to build a strong and united community.

"People getting on with their daily lives was the best way to stand up to hatred.

“We are continuing to work with police and other agencies to ensure the full facts of this incident are brought to light and support those who have been affected by this vile action.”

Chief Inspector Steph Armes, from Lancashire Constabulary, said the investigation was ongoing. 

Chief Insp Armes said: “The team are going through Ring doorbell and CCTV footage and have been conducting house to house enquiries within the neighbourhood. 

“I would like to appeal to residents in the Shear Brow and surrounding area to check their CCTV, ring doorbell or dashcam footage from 10.15pm to 10.45pm on February 18. 

“If you find anything that could assist with our investigation, please share this with us by calling 101, quoting log 1384 of February 18.

“Community cohesion in Blackburn is outstanding, Lancashire Constabulary proudly work closely with partners and the local community. 

“Fortunately, this type of behaviour is rare in our area and we are treating it as an isolated incident.

"We do not tolerate hate crime of any form and will do everything within our power to identify the offenders and take appropriate action.”