POLICE say they have found graffiti reading "EDL" on an Islamic centre badly damaged by fire in north London.

Specialist officers from the Met’s Counter-Terrorism Command are leading the investigation into the blaze, which caused extensive damage to the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association community centre in Muswell Hill in the early hours of this morning (June 5).

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and is being treated as suspicious.

According to the Met, graffiti reading EDL has been found on the building. Police are investigating any potential connection between the graffiti and the fire.

Police have started consulting and will work closely with the Somali and Islamic communities to provide support and reassurance.

Borough Chief Superintendent Adrian Usher said. "I have spoken to community leaders and assured them that a thorough investigation is being conducted.

"The safety of our communities is always our priority and we are consulting widely, offering our support and reassurance. All communities can be confident that they have our support and I can be contacted personally to answer their concerns."

There have been no arrests.

The blaze comes in the wake of heightened tensions following the killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

MP for Chipping Barnet Theresa Villiers said: “This kind of hate crime is absolutely despicable. This is not just an attack on the Muslim community, it is an attack on all of us and our values. We are a highly diverse multi-ethnic borough with excellent community cohesion in Barnet. We should under no circumstances allow violent extremists to divide us with this kind of outrage.

“I am deeply concerned about the impact this disgraceful crime will have on those who use the Bravanese Islamic Centre. They have all my sympathies at this difficult time.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the work of local firefighters in their efforts to deal with the fire. I am keeping in close touch with the police investigating this matter.”