Jewish cemetery vandalised in ‘horrible act of antisemitism’ in Greater Manchester

Police investigating attack in Whitefield, Bury, as hate crime

The headstone of a prominent member of Greater Manchester's Jewish community was smashed during the attack (GMP)

Police investigating an “abhorrent” attack on a Jewish cemetery in Greater Manchester are treating it as a hate crime.

Vandals targeted three chapels at Phillips Park in Whitefield, Bury, and smashed a prominent gravestone, two windows and several wash basins.

CCTV equipment was also stolen from within one of the buildings in an attempt to cover up the attack, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Rabbi Shmuli Brown tweeted pictures of the damage after it was discovered on Saturday evening, describing the attack as a “horrible act of antisemitism”.

“These cowards picking on the dead trashed the place,” the rabbi added.

The estimated cost of repairs is £30,000, according to a fundraising page set up to help the cemetery.

Police launched an investigation and said the cemetery had been vandalised between midday on Friday and early on Saturday morning.

GMP assistant chief constable Mabs Hussein said: “This is an abhorrent act of hate which took place in the Jewish cemetery in Whitefield, Bury, yesterday. Officers are supporting the local community … and all efforts will be made to arrest those responsible.”

In a tweet which was later deleted, an official police account for GMP Prestwich described the attackers as “scumbags” and “a complete disgrace to humanity”.

The tweet read: “I hope the scumbags who desecrated a graveyard in Whitefield are proud! You are a complete disgrace to humanity! This is not what the community of Whitefield are about or accept. Anyone with info particularly about anyone trying to offload copper piping should contact us.”

Superintendent Paul Walker, of GMP’s Bury division, said: “We have launched an investigation and whilst the CCTV has been destroyed by the offenders – clearly in an attempt to cover their tracks – I can assure you that we have a team of dedicated officers working to piece together exactly what happened in an attempt to find those responsible.

“I understand that this incident will have caused distress to many members of our community and we are working alongside our partners including Community Security Trust to ensure that those affected are fully supported.

“We are treating this incident as a hate crime and I want to send a clear message that incidents of this nature will never be tolerated in our communities. I would encourage anyone with any information to get in touch as soon as possible.”