MUSLIM leaders are calling on people to unite against extremism as it becomes increasingly clear the London bombings were carried out by four British suicide bombers.

The Muslim Association of Britain spoke out in the aftermath of the biggest coordinated terrorist attack on UK soil.

More than 50 people were murdered and several hundred others injured after three synchronised Tube bombs and a fourth on a packed double-decker bus exploded.

An unprecedented man-hunt to track down those behind the attacks moved 200 miles north to Leeds yesterday to the homes of young British men of Pakistani origin.

A series of apparent revenge attacks on the Muslim community, including the murder of an Asian man in Nottingham, have been reported since last week.

Harris Bokhari, head of public relations for the Muslim Association of Britain, said people of this faith had now suffered twice. "There were Muslims who died last week and now we are being attacked," he said.

"Mosques and Muslims are being attacked. If the bombers were home grown we are very shocked. All communities must now support the authorities to make sure we get through this together."

Mr Bokhari said extremist groups and individuals were being given a disproportionate amount of coverage by "right wing" parts of the Press.

"We are talking about five or maybe ten people from a Muslim population of almost two million in Britain.

"Criminals like this need to be removed from society, but we need help. If someone carries out a disgusting act or perpetrates an atrocity in the name of Islam, that individual is not representing the faith or the community.

"You can't just turn around and say the whole Muslim community is like that."

Race relations in London and the north will no doubt be under strain after the events of the last six days.

But Mr Bokhair said it was important for people to keep a sense of proportion. He added: "If you are scared about Islam or Muslims in the United Kingdom go to your local mosque or ask you neighbour what they think about what has happened.

"You will see that we are hurt. As long as we get the support from the government and from people of all faiths and communities I am very confident we can turn people away from radicalism.

"We can help anyone who is disenfranchised from society because there is always hope. There is never a situation where we are without hope.

"The worst thing that can happen is the creation of hysteria that would give these people exactly what they wanted.

"As Londoners as British people we are stronger than this and we can fight together and show these elements that we can be stronger."