Police confirm Three Rivers Muslim grave damage is being investigated as an 'Islamophobic hate crime'
85 plaques in Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery were damaged on Friday, most belonging to babies and children
Police have confirmed it is investigating damage to Muslim grave plaques in Three Rivers as an Islamophobic hate crime.
On Sunday (13 April), police were informed of widespread damage to 85 plaques in Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, all of which are in an area reserved for Muslim burials.
Many of the graves affected are the resting places of babies and young children.
Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, head of Hertfordshire’s Local Policing Command, said: “We are continuing to investigate every line of enquiry into this terrible crime, which we are now treating as an Islamophobic act.
During the initial stages of our investigation we explored several hypotheses as to how the damage may have occurred and for this reason, we had to be mindful of the words used to describe the incident in the public domain.
However, now our inquiry has progressed we are confident that sadly, this was a religiously motivated act.
We would like to reassure those affected, and the wider Muslim community, that we are continuing to treat this crime extremely seriously.”
The investigation team continues to liaise with Brent Council, which owns the cemetery site off Oxhey Lane, as they work to identify the families whose loved ones’ graves have been targeted.
Senior police officers and the investigation team have been working closely with Sergeant Irfan Ishaq, Chair of the Hertfordshire Association of Muslim Police (HAMP), to assist with communication to the county’s Muslim community.
Sergeant Ishaq said: “Since the news of this religiously motivated act reached our Muslim communities, I have been listening to and recording their feedback and concerns.
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.
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.
Our focus remains identifying the families of those whose graves have been affected so we can provide support and advice, and our partners at Brent Council are assisting us with this.
Given the number of graves involved, and the fact that many of the families affected may no longer live locally, we anticipate that this will take some time as we continue to be sensitive and respectful in our work.
We recognise that news of this crime will not only impact the Muslim community, but those from all walks of life.
There will continue to be a police presence in and around the cemetery to reassure our community and provide advice where needed.
In addition, a further community leaders meeting is being held tomorrow (Wednesday 16 April) to keep our Muslim community informed.”
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Our thoughts are with the families of those whose graves were desecrated, I cannot imagine how they must be feeling at this moment.
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 contact police.
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.
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.”
Police are continuing to appeal to the public for information in relation to this crime, which occurred between 1pm on Friday 11 April and 5pm on Saturday 12 April.
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in or around the cemetery between these times, or believes they have information about who is responsible, is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Anna Cornish on [email protected], quoting ‘Op Lunate’.