Muslim graves vandalised with paint at Burnley cemetery

The discovery was believed to have been made on Monday morning.

Images and footage from the scene show a row of headstones vandalised with paint in the Muslim section of the town’s cemetery.

Police and Burnley Council are said to be investigating the incident which comes following a week of disturbances and violent racist protests across the country.

It is unclear if the vandalism is related to the ongoing incidents across the region.

Police have launched an investigation and Burnley Council condemned the actions of 'evil individuals'.

The Mayor of Burnley Cllr Shah Hussain urged the community not to get provoked despite the 'extremely distressing' incident.

He said: "As someone who has family buried there I know this will be an extremely worrying time for us all. It is very upsetting this has happened.

"I would urge people not to get provoked. There are those who want to dis-unite us.

"Let the police do their investigation.

"I have been told that specialist cleaners have been deployed by the council who will be looking to clean up the affected graves."

One resident said he was 'disgusted' at the actions. He said: “It is shocking to see this and will be very distressing for the families.

“I know that the local authority is aware and is looking into it.”

Another Burnley man said both parents his are buried at the cemetery but their graves were not affected by the damage.

He said: “It is extremely worrying for everyone.

“I hope the local law enforcement and local authorities take appropriate action.”

A police spokesperson said: "We have launched an investigation after a report of criminal damage in Burnley today (Monday, August 5).

"We were called around 4.15pm to Burnley Cemetery in Rossendale Road after a report paint had been poured across headstones in a Muslim burial area.

"The investigation into this matter is very much ongoing.

"We are taking this matter incredibly seriously and this is being treated as a hate crime.

"We do not tolerate hate of any form and we will do everything in our power to identify the offenders and take the appropriate action.

"Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 0982 of August 5."

Leader of Burnley Council, Councillor Afrasiab Anwar MBE said in a statement: "What type of evil individual(s) would undertake such outrageous actions, in a sacrosanct place of reflection, where loved ones are buried, solely intended to provoke racial tensions?

"We are working with the police to identify the perpetrator(s) and to ensure they are reprimanded at the earliest opportunity.

"There is CCTV footage at the cemetery which the police are working through, and we are working with the police to ensure a heightened police presence in the area.

"The council have made arrangements for the graves to be cleaned by a specialist memorial mason as a matter of urgency and the affected families are being contacted.

"There are heinous individuals who are looking to provoke a reaction in our communities. With actions like this, it is extremely difficult to remain calm, but I would urge you not to react to the provocation."

In Lancashire, so-called ‘anti-immigration’ protests took place in Preston and Blackburn over the weekend.

In Lancashire 22 people were arrested across the county - 20 of those people were arrested in Blackpool, one person in Blackburn and one in Preston.

Of those 22 detained, 18 have been released on police bail, one has been released under investigation, and three have been charged.

Lancashire Police today shared a 'Community Reassurance Briefing' to local groups.

It read: "To the members of our communities affected: thank you for your patience and understanding whilst our officers responded to the disruption.

"We will continue to put public safety first and we are grateful for your support.

"We would like to thank the good people of our communities for their support during this weekend’s operation.

"We will continue to work with our communities and partners to ensure that we are ready to respond to any concerns, or incidents within Lancashire.

"We have a strong tradition of community in Lancashire, and we are confident that they will stand united against anyone intent on causing fear, destruction or violence."

Mosques welcome support from government

Muslim organisations have welcomed the Government’s announcement of extra security for mosques.

The Home Office on Sunday offered mosques greater protections, under which it said “rapid security” deployment can be requested in order to allow a return to worship as fast as possible.

Tell Mama, which monitors Islamophobia in the UK, said a “surge in extreme right-wing activity in the past week” had led to a fivefold increase in threats to Muslim communities and a threefold increase in hate crime incidents and crimes.

There was also a rise in threats and attacks to mosques and Islamic institutions and centres reported to Tell Mama after the Southport attack last week, it said.

The Muslim Council of Britain said police, local authorities and mosques can ask for rapid security to be deployed, “protecting communities and allowing for a return to worship as quickly as possible”.

The organisation said it had written to the Home Secretary regarding the matter.

A spokesperson for Islamic Relief UK said "far too many communities are at risk” due to “mainstreamed racism and Islamophobia, and the repeated dehumanisation of refugees”.

They added: “We are hopeful that the Government’s announcement of extra support to mosques should offer some reassurance, and help normal services to resume.

“There is no place for racism, violence, or Islamophobia in our country.

“Wherever racism or Islamophobia rears its head, it must be called out for what it is and stamped out.”

Also on Monday a “standing army” of specialist police officers is being assembled to crack down on rioting, the Prime Minister said.

Burnley Council has been approached for comment.