A north Manchester cemetery was covered with Nazi swastikas and Anti-Semitic race hate slurs in a ‘sickening and cruel’ attack yesterday.
Police believe vandals struck between 4:00pm on Sunday 22nd June and 3:30pm the following day at Jewish Cemetery, Rochdale Road, Blackley.
The thugs also ripped gravestones out of the ground in the hate crime – and similar offences have been reported in recent weeks.
Inspector Mike Reid of the Integrated Neighbourhood Policing Team and said: “This is a sickening and cruel act of racism.
“I know this will cause a lot of anxiety and distress in the local community and we as police officers share that distress.
“I want to stress to people who have loved ones buried here and live in this area that we will do everything we can to find out who is responsible and bring the full force of the law down on them.
“This has been recorded as a hate crime because of the clear racial motivation and, should we find those who committed this cowardly act, that will allow the courts to impose even harsher punishments.”
Police are now investigating and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward and have stepped up their presence in the area to stave off more attacks
“Extra patrols will be in the area in the coming days both to act as a visible deterrent and provide a visible presence for any concerned residents, and we will work with our partner agencies to investigate the matter.
“Lastly, I believe the way we will catch these people is through the help of the local community. Someone, somewhere, knows who is responsible and I would urge those people to do the right thing.
“Think how you would feel if it was the grave of your loved one which was damaged. You would want justice so please, think of those are suffering and speak to us, in confidence if needed.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of William Murphy with thanks
