By Ahmed J Versi
A Muslim family in Loughton, Essex, is living in a state of fear and trauma after a pig’s head was dumped on their doorstep, an incident they are calling a deliberate Islamophobic attack. The mother, who has asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, and her daughters, say the discovery over two weeks ago has shattered their sense of security in their own home.
“We were literally just waking up. I teach madrasa on a Sunday, so I wake up earlier than my daughters, and it just happened that children were making a loud noise outside, and I was just concerned,” the mother told The Muslim News. “There was such a commotion outside my door. I look out the window, I saw something, but I didn’t know what they were looking at.”
She continued, describing the grim discovery on September 14: “I went downstairs, and I had a look and as soon as I saw it, there was blood smeared across my foot and doorway. I had to walk over to see what else was there. And then there it was, a pig’s head lying there.”
The police were called and arrived “within 20 minutes,” classifying the incident as a “hate crime or a racial crime. Racial hatred crime, but they didn’t call it Islamophobic as such.” However, the mother is certain, stating “100%” that it was an Islamophobic attack, noting, “we’re the only Muslim family on my street.”
She recalled that when an officer attempted to remove the severed head, he asked her to assist by “holding the paper bag open while he inserts the pig’s head.” She was stunned. “Absolutely not!” she told him firmly. “It didn’t occur to him that as a Muslim I wouldn’t want to be close to the pig’s head in any case. However, he managed it himself after I bluntly refused.”
From protest to doorstep: tensions behind the attack
The family directly connected the attack to a rising tide of local tension and a far-right rally that had taken place in London the same night. “During this time after the Epping protest, we noticed that all the Union Jacks and the Saint George flags were going up…. We’ve got nearly 30, 40 flags literally around our area. And even our roundabouts are all paved in George Cross colours.” She admitted, “I was starting to feel a bit nervous, but I did not know that would happen on my doorstep this quickly.”
Living in fear: trauma inside the home
The impact on the family has been severe. “We all saw it, and it was very, very traumatic for all of us. We didn’t want to eat that day. It felt really sickening.” Her daughter later cleaned the pathway with hot water and bleach after the police removed the pig’s head.
The trauma has fundamentally altered their sense of safety. “We’ve been on edge all the time since that event happened, because we’re constantly thinking we can’t leave our property even for two seconds without something happening to it, or someone throwing fire into the post box.”
The mother, who has a disability including a hip and knee replacement, as well as spinal defects, feels particularly vulnerable. “I do fear an arson attack. I do fear for my life and the lives of my family. You just don’t know what else you could be targeted with… I have not had one decent night’s sleep since this incident.”
This fear now dictates their daily lives. “I can’t ask my daughters to go out to pick up something from the nearest store because everything around us is just red and white flags.” She added, “I have not had one decent night’s sleep since this incident.”
A stalled investigation and a heartbreaking decision
Despite police assurances, the investigation has yielded little progress. In an update, police told the family: “No CCTV footage has been found. Unfortunately, the only thing that we can come up with is now any kind of DNA found on the [pig’s head], but that will be about it.” While police stated they increased patrols, the mother is sceptical: “I put a ring camera on my door, but I’ve not seen any patrolling happen.”
Consequently, after seven years in the area, the family is now making a heartbreaking decision. “To be honest with you, we have thought of packing up and leaving now… I can’t live in this area anymore… Now I feel very insecure,” she said.
Speaking out against rising hate
The mother explained her reason for speaking out was a plea for awareness. “I think people should know this is a growing trend. It’s not something that will subside any time soon. Racism is growing, and it’s not going away. It wasn’t a one-off incident.”
In an official statement, Essex Police confirmed they are treating it “as a hate crime.” The force stated that officers have carried out local enquiries and sent items for forensic analysis, adding, “We do not underestimate the impact of this incident and are determined to identify and pursue those responsible.”
[Photo: A pig’s head left on the family’s doorstep (centre), which they link to rising local tensions. A bloodstain marks their entrance (right). (Courtesy of the family)]
The police are urging anyone with information to come forward via their website, online Live Chat service, or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 42/132666/25.
