ONE of York's most senior Muslim leaders today condemned the terrorist attacks as "crimes against humanity".

Professor Mohamed Elgomati, a senior member of the York Mosque committee, said the whole world would be united against the culprits.

He believed it was wrong to associate the Muslim faith with those responsible.

He said: "These attacks were barbaric and committed by people who don't belong to any religion. This cannot be done in the name of God."

Professor Elgomati said one of the areas hit by the bombings, Edgeware Road, was a heavily populated Muslim area, and he spent yesterday checking on the well being of friends and family in the capital.

He said: "Our prayers go out to the victims' families. I hope that there will be no reprisals. Muslims in York are well integrated into the community and doing good things."

During today's traditional Friday prayers, Muslim worshippers were praying for the victims and their families at the mosque in Bull Lane.

Meanwhile, churches across York have held prayer vigils for the victims of the London terror atrocities.

York's most senior Catholic, the Very Reverend Canon Michael Ryan, of St Wilfrid's Church, in Duncombe Place, said he was dedicating today's Mass and prayers to the victims of the blasts.

He said: "I'm just shocked by the whole thing, particularly at a time when the whole world is speaking up for poverty and justice."

At St Michael le Belfry Church, off Deangate, people were invited inside to light a candle and pray for the victims of the attacks. Assistant church co-ordinator Paul Millard, 27, said: "We just want to pray for the families of the victims. A lot of people are going to be very upset - it was a huge shock."

At the Minster, staff said candles were available to be lit by people affected by the bombings. The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Keith Jones said York Minster was also available for those wishing to offer prayers or light candles.

:: Patrols stepped up across county

NORTH Yorkshire Police have mounted extra patrols across the county following the London bombings - and are reviewing security at public events this weekend.

A spokesman said officers were sent out on the streets last night to provide residents with reassurance and advice.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw said: "Our officers' brief is a simple one: look after the people of North Yorkshire and that what is what we will spare no effort to do."

He emphasised that North Yorkshire Police had not received any information or advice suggesting there might be any threat to the county, but still urged the public to be specially vigilant, particularly with regard to suspicious packages and out-of-place objects.

He said people should not touch such items but stay away and call police immediately. He said police had set up a "Gold Command" at police headquarters at Newby Wiske to "control any situations that might arise."

Police are reviewing forthcoming events, which this weekend include a VE/VJ Day service at York Minster, followed by a march through the streets and reception at Imphal Barracks. Officers are monitoring events in London, and liaising with organisations such as North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council and British Transport Police. "Officers across the county have been advised of the need for extra alertness."

Graham Buckle, group manager for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service in York, said: "We have contingency plans in place for a variety of incidents, but we are not putting on anything extra."

:: 'Sickened' MP calls for debate over response

YORK MP Hugh Bayley has spoken of his shock and horror at the callousness of the London bombings.

Mr Bayley, currently leading a NATO committee in China, told the Evening Press that his first thoughts were with the innocent victims of "these terrible attacks", and their families.

He said: "I'm shocked and sickened by the callousness of indiscriminate killing. The emergency services have prepared and trained to cope with this kind of terrorism and have responded magnificently.

"We need a calm and clear-minded debate about how to respond."

He warned: "No one should turn on ethnic or religious minorities. We live in our small island together and we are all equally at risk from terrorists who kill at random."

The MP was due to fly back to London today, where he is expecting to attend a dress rehearsal of the unveiling of the Women's War Memorial in Whitehall.

Ryedale MP John Greenway said he had been at a breakfast meeting at a Park Lane hotel when the first bombs went off. He said it was important that life should go on in the capital, despite the attacks. "We cannot allow these incidents to disrupt our normal lives."

In later editions of last night's Evening Press, Selby MP John Grogan told how he had to walk through a dark tunnel to escape from the Underground in the aftermath of the blasts.

He was stuck in a packed tube train in darkness for about 40 minutes before eventually being evacuated with hundreds of other frightened passengers.

Updated: 10:16 Friday, July 08, 2005