Police investigate attack on Muslim graves

Eighteen graves in Harehills Cemetery were damaged towards the end of last week, with one headstone broken and name plaques broken or ripped away.

It is not yet known if it was a racist or anti-Muslim attack.

Police are keeping an open mind as to whether the graves were targeted because they are linked to Muslim families and hope forensic evidence could lead to those responsible.

Inspector Nik Adams, who leads the Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Over the weekend we have worked alongside community and religious leaders to identify and contact the next of kin of those whose graves have been affected by this mindless act of vandalism.

"We have also undertaken a full forensic examination of the scene which has proved encouraging and we are currently awaiting the results of that.

"At this stage in the investigation we are keeping an open mind on whether the graves were deliberately targeted because they were linked to Muslim families or whether they were vandalised because of their proximity to a nearby path and two thoroughfares that run through the cemetery.

"We are determined to catch those responsible and I would ask that anybody who was in the area of the cemetery on Thursday evening and witnessed anything suspicious to contact us.

"This incident undermines much of the work both ourselves and Leeds City Council have undertaken during the last year to improve security at the cemetery with increased patrols by neighbourhood wardens and police officers."

Everything was being done to find those responsible , he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Stainbeck CID on 0845 60 60 606 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.