Cemetery vandals destroy at least 85 Muslim graves
Police have launched an investigation after at least 85 Muslim graves – including those of dozens of babies – were damaged at a cemetery in Hertfordshire.
The vandalism was discovered at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, Watford, in the early hours of Sunday.
Dozens of grave markers were destroyed or damaged, all of which were in the Muslim portion of the cemetery.
A large number of the damaged graves are believed to be the resting place of babies and young children.
Abbas Merali, Conservative councillor for Moor Park and Eastbury, on the Three Rivers district council, shared images of babies' grave markers strewn across the ground. Many were snapped in half or cracked.
He said: 'I am devastated to report the distressing news that graves within the Muslim burial section of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery have been vandalised.
'Reports confirm that plaques on children's graves were destroyed, and other graves were subjected to shameful acts of vandalism.
'These abhorrent actions have caused immense anguish to grieving families and profound hurt across our community.
'My thoughts go out to those families who have been impacted by this barbaric act.'
Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, from the Local Policing Command, said: 'This is an abhorrent incident and one that will understandably spark an emotive reaction in the community.
'We are continuing to work closely with our local community leaders and our partners at Brent Council, which owns the site, to identify those families who have been affected but we appreciate that this will take some time.
'At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to the nature of this incident and in the coming days we will continue to engage with our Muslim communities to provide support and reassurance.
'We're also working with specialist officers in the constabulary to ensure we remain sensitive and respectful to the needs of the communities involved.
'In addition, specialist officers will be attending Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery to provide crime prevention advice.
'They are also planning to attend other cemeteries and community venues in the area to offer further reassurance and advice.'
The force has set up a special operation called Operation Lunate as part of its investigation into who could be responsible.
Ch Supt Simpson added: 'Our team of detectives and investigators will continue to work very hard and quickly to ascertain the circumstances of the incident, but we are appealing to anyone who has information to please contact police as soon as possible.'
Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery is a multi-faith site that was opened in 1954.
No upright memorials are allowed, only approved bronze resin plaques which are set into the ground.
The cemetery has a Muslim section set aside to cater for the area's large Muslim population.
In 2021, 44.4 per cent of people in Watford described themselves as Christian while 13.0 per cent were Muslim, up from 9.9 per cent the decade before.
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