Latest news with #JonSimpson
BBC News
27-04-2025
- BBC News
Muslim graveyard damage near Watford prompts Crimestoppers action
A £5,000 Crimestoppers reward has been offered after 85 graves were vandalised in the Muslim section of a damage to the plaques and graves at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Hertfordshire is being treated by police as an Islamophobic hate charity said the money would be "for information we exclusively receive - that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible".It said the "deeply troubling incident" happened between about 13:00 BST on Friday 11 April and 17:00 on Saturday 12 April. "This shocking act of vandalism has sparked outrage and condemnation from the local community, prompting individuals from various backgrounds to unite against this hate crime," Crimestoppers said. It asked for people to get in touch via its website or by calling 0800 555 111. The reward would expire by 25 July, it Goodenough, its South East regional manager, said: "We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in seeking justice for the families affected by this devastating incident."Crimestoppers provides a pathway for individuals to share information anonymously, allowing them to speak up without fear of repercussions."It is vital that we work together to ensure that the sanctity of our loved ones' resting places is maintained." The cemetery is in the Three Rivers District, south of Watford, but is owned by Brent Council in north Supt 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 continue to treat as an Islamophobic act."We would like to reassure those affected, and the wider Muslim community, that we are continuing to treat this crime extremely seriously."He appealed for anyone with information to report it. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Arab News
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.'
BBC News
15-04-2025
- BBC News
Grave damage in Watford is Islamophobic hate crime, police say
The damage caused to 85 graves in the Muslim section of a cemetery is being treated as an Islamophobic hate crime, police have vandalism to the plaques and graves at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford - many belonging to babies and children - was reported on Supt Jon Simpson said the force had explored several potential reasons for the damage and wanted to be careful how it was described to the public."However, now our inquiry has progressed we are confident that sadly, this was a religiously motivated act," he said. "We would like to reassure those affected, and the wider Muslim community, that we are continuing to treat this crime extremely seriously." Ch Supt Simpson's colleague Sgt Irfan Ishaq said he had been "listening to and recording feedback" from Muslim communities."We completely understand their frustration at the delay in confirming it as a hate crime and stand with them in their condemnation of this dreadful incident," he said."I'm sure the public can appreciate that as police, it is important for us to approach every incident reported to us with an open mind to ensure an unbiased and fair investigation." Officers are working to identify families affected by the damage and a police presence is expected to remain in the cemetery is in Watford, but is owned by Brent Council in north this week, Labour leader Muhammed Butt said the council would reinstate the damaged name plaques and return the cemetery to a "peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
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. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
14-04-2025
- Telegraph
Cemetery vandals destroy at least 85 Muslim graves
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.' 'Abhorrent' 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.' 'Appealing for information' 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.
