Police officers, two of them in riot gear, used a metal battering ram to break the main door of the Ghausia Jamia Mosque in Lye, near Stourbridge, West Midlands, on Thursday morning.

Farid and Feriba Ahmadi and their two children took refuge in the mosque last month after the Home Office ruled they had no case to stay in the country and should be deported to Germany.

Conservative councillor for Lye and Wollescote, Abdul Qadus, said he was "disgusted" at the way the Home Office and the police had handled the situation.

We Muslim people are treated like dirt now since 11 September - would they have done the same thing if it was a church?

Councillor Abdul Qadus

He told BBC News Online: "These people were not murderers. There were not armed robbers in there.

"I am not saying that they were not legally entitled to enter the building, but there is no justification for causing damage to a religious place.

"I am absolutely disgusted with this situation."

The raid occurred shortly after morning prayers had finished on Thursday morning.

Police officers and officials entered the building with their feet and heads covered as a mark of respect to the Muslim religion.

Officials enter the mosque

However Mr Qadus said he was angry that shoes were not completely removed before they entered the mosque.

"There is no excuse for them going in to the mosque with their shoes on, even with special coverings.

"Non-religious people are not allowed to go into the mosque without authority.

"We Muslim people are treated like dirt now since 11 September.

"Would they have done the same thing if it was a church?"

It was like a military operation - it was as though they were arresting murderers

Paul Rowlands, local resident

Paul Rowlands, who was one of six local people present during the incident, also criticised the way the operation was conducted.

"It was completely compassionless," he said.

"It was like a military operation. It was as though they were arresting murderers.

"We didn't dream they would batter the door down to a place of sanctuary."

'Persecution and torture'

Fellow supporter Jerry Langford said local trade union groups had supported the family's fight to stay in Britain.

A 1,000-strong petition has also been collected in the area.

Mr Langford said: "This family fitted all the stereotypes the government is demanding and made every effort to learn English.

"There were persecuted by the Taleban and Mr Ahmadi was tortured twice.

Secret location

"How can it be safe for them to go back there?"

Mr and Mrs Ahmadi were taken away by the authorities and it is unclear where they are now.

Their children were not in the mosque when the police arrived and are staying at a secret location with family friend Soraya Walton.

The family are due to be deported to Germany on Friday.