At least 85 Muslim graves, including those of dozens of babies, were damaged by vandals at a cemetery in Hertfordshire.
The vandalism was discovered at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford on Sunday morning, with police launching an investigation.
Dozens of grave markers were discovered destroyed or damaged at the cemetery in Three Rivers – all within 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, with many snapped in half or cracked.
Officers attended on Sunday morning and and remained on site carrying out enquiries.
Abbas Merali, Conservative councillor for Moor Park and Eastbury, posted upsetting images of baby’s grave markers strewn across the floor.
Carpenters Lane 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 area set aside to cater for the area’s large Muslim population.
North Watford councillor Asif Khan surveys the damage done to the Muslim portion of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford – including grave markers belonging to babies
In a post on Facebook Mr Khan said he was ‘heartbroken and outraged’ by the vandalism on the Muslim baby and child section of the cemetery
Dozens of grave markers were discovered destroyed or damaged at the cemetery in Three Rivers – all within the Muslim portion of the cemetery
In 2021, 44.4% of people in Watford described themselves as Christian while 13.0% were Muslim, up from 9.9% the decade before.
The leader of Brent Council, councillor Muhammed Butt, shared a statement on the desecration, describing it as an ‘Islamophobic hate crime.’
He said up to 100 graves may have been targeted.
‘Our thoughts are with the families of those whose graves were desecrated, I cannot imagine how they must be feeling at this moment,’ he said.
‘This is a very serious incident, and we continue to work closely with Hertfordshire Police to inform family members and bring the perpetrators to justice.
‘I encourage anyone who thinks they have information that will help the investigation to call the Police on 101.
‘It looks as though Muslim graves have been targeted, in what appears to be an Islamophobic hate crime.
‘There is absolutely no place for hate or discrimination of any kind anywhere, but particularly in London – a city where everyone is welcome and our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
A large number of the damaged graves are believed to be the resting place of babies and young children, with many snapped in half or cracked
A grave marker pulled out of the ground by vandals at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford
Grave markers bearing the names of the deceased lie flat on the ground, with police in attendance as they investigate the desecration of the cemetery
A shot showing one of the grave markers pulled out of the ground and left strewn face-down on the grass
‘We will reinstate the damaged name plaques and return Carpenders Park Lawn cemetery to a peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible, once the Police have finished their investigation.’
The council said it understood the vandalism happened on Saturday.
Brent Council has been working with the police over the weekend to make sure everyone who needs to be is contacted and that work will continue today.
They added that Hertfordshire Police was treating it as a hate crime.
Extra security may be added in the coming days.
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 as it delves into who could be responsible, called Operation Lunate.
Ch Supt Simpson added: ‘Our team of detectives and investigators will continue to work very hard and quickly to ascertain the circumstances of this incident, but we are appealing to anyone who has information to please contact police as soon as possible.’
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.
‘I have spoken directly with the Superintendent Sally Phillips of Hertfordshire Police, who confirmed that this is being treated as a serious and targeted act of vandalism.
‘A full investigation is now underway. I will be following up with the Hertfordshire Police team and our MP @gaganmohindra to ensure no stones are left unturned.
‘Please remain vigilant when visiting Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, and report any concerns or unusual activity to the authorities.
‘At this time, we should stand together to ensure that such an act never happens again.’
Anyone who believes their loved one’s grave may have been affected is asked to email Detective Sergeant Anna Cornish on anna.cornish@herts.police.uk directly with the reference ‘Op Lunate’ and include their contact details.
