Police investigate ‘Islamophobic' attack on grave plaques at UK cemetery
LONDON: British police are investigating the vandalism of Muslim grave plaques in the town of Watford, near London, as an Islamophobic hate crime.
About 85 graves, including those of babies and children, were targeted at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, which is designated for Muslim burials. A family discovered the damage at the weekend after attending a funeral.
On Wednesday, Hertfordshire Police appealed to the public for information relating to the crime, which they said happened between 1pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday.
Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, head of Hertfordshire's Local Policing Command, said: 'We are continuing to investigate every line of inquiry into this terrible crime, which we are now treating as an Islamophobic act.'
The police 'are confident that, sadly, this was a religiously motivated act.'
Sergeant Irfan Ishaq, chair of the Hertfordshire Association of Muslim Police, said: 'We recognize that news of this crime will not only impact the Muslim community but those from all walks of life.'
He said a police presence would be maintained in and around the cemetery.
The cemetery site, located off Oxhey Lane, is owned by Brent Council. Its leader, Muhammed Butt, said that grieving families and the community were in shock.
'There is absolutely no place for hate or discrimination of any kind anywhere, but particularly in London, a city where everyone is welcome and where our diversity is one of our greatest strengths,' he said.
He said the council was working to reinstate the damaged plaques and return the cemetery to a 'peaceful, quiet place of remembrance for families.'
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