Islamophobia fears in US in wake of California attack

Neighbours of California shooters Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik are calling for a 'Muslim register' in America, as fears of an Islamophobic backlash are on the rise in the wake of the attacks.

Many American Muslims are now fearing a rise in Islamaphobia following the atrocity, which killed 14 and injured 21.

Farook, 28, and Malik, 27, attacked an office Christmas party in the city of San Bernadino on December 2 and were later killed in a shoot-out with police.

Neighbours of the couple have told ITV News they would "think twice" if a Muslim family now moved into the area.

Elizabeth and Patty both live in the area near where the shooters lived and they said they both backed the idea of a "Muslim register".

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has put forward the idea of having a register of all the Muslims in America.

When announcing the idea a few weeks ago, Trump was challenged on how his plan was different to requiring Jewish people to register in Nazi Germany, to which he responded "you tell me."

Patty said she agreed with Mr Trump's idea "100%".

She said: "I think Donald Trump is right on point and that we're tired of people talking around."

Elizabeth added she doesn't want to go out and feels scared.

She said: "To know they were right here, me and Patty walk this walk every day at 9am and walk right by that house and to know that there were bombs in there and murderers is terrifying."

Another neighbour, Brooke, said she "has never judged anybody, but seeing this has made me feel like I need to protect myself and my surroundings".

When asked if a Muslim moved next door to her if she would be nervous she said: "unfortunately yes".

President Obama announced a series of measures to counter the threat from potential terrorists including better screenings for those who go to the country without a visa and ensuring that no one on a no fly list is able to purchase a gun.

Amjad Mahmood Khan, National Director of Public Affairs Ahmadiyya Muslim Community US, told ITV News he fears an Islamaphobic backlash after the attacks.

He said many American Muslims are "outraged" by the attacks and feel they have to do a "condemnation echo chamber to constantly condemn and apologise for acts they have nothing to do with".

Watch ITV News' Washington Correspondent Robert Moore's full report from California on News at Ten.