AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after police said a BNP leaflet containing the controversial cartoon of the prophet Muhammad had been delivered to homes in Colne.
The cartoon depicting the prophet with a bomb in his turban has outraged Muslims across the world and sparked intense protests since it was published in a Danish newspaper.
No British newspapers have printed it, but police today revealed their hate crime unit was investigating after BNP leaflets containing the cartoon were delivered to homes in Colne over the past week.
The Lancashire Council of Mosques has branded the BNP disgusting and appealed for people in Colne to stay calm.
Coun Salim Mulla, secretary of the council of mosques, added: "They must remember that this is the work of the BNP and try to ignore what they have done.
"I hope they will understand that the BNP is trying to create friction between Muslim and Christian communities.
"I am not shocked or surprised that the BNP could stoop so low."
A spokesman for Lancashire police said: "We have been made aware that a number of BNP leaflets containing the cartoon have been delivered in Colne.
"Our hate crime and diversity unit is currently looking into establishing if offences have been committed."
Many European newspapers have printed the cartoon, sparking protests from Muslims across the world, including a massive rally in London.
More than 600 local people staged a demonstration outside Blackburn town hall over a week ago. Hundreds of men, women and children peacefully marched to the town hall in King William Street, in a protest designed to show a moderate side to Islamic protests.
No one from the BNP was available for comment today. The far-right party has previously said it was to distribute the cartoon as part of its campaign ahead of the local elections this May.
It is understood that the leaflet shows the cartoon next to a photo of a protest in London in which someone is holding a placard urging violence against anyone who insulted Islam.
The leaflet asks people which of the two "they find offensive".
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