'Vile' attack on Muslim graves in Leeds cemetery

Twenty-four grave stones have been damaged in a section of a Leeds cemetery used by Muslims.

Plaques were ripped off some of the graves at the city's Harehills Cemetery on Sunday night and some head stones were pushed over.

It is the third time this year that graves at the site have been damaged.

West Yorkshire Police are now studying CCTV footage from cameras which were installed at the cemetery after graves were vandalised in September.

The force's Insp Michael Lawrenson described the attack on the graves as "vile and despicable".

'Mindless act'

"Understandably this incident has caused a great deal of distress to a number of people in the community.

"I want to reassure them that we are doing everything within our power to catch those responsible and prevent any further incidents.

"We have been in contact with community leaders to help us identify and contact the next of kin of those whose graves have been damaged in the mindless act of racially motivated vandalism."

In September an inquiry was started when 21 grave stones were damaged.

Nineteen grave stones were damaged at the same cemetery in March.

Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police.