A COMMUNITY has hit out after Muslim graves were vandalised for the third times in three months.

More than 20 gravestones were pushed over in the latest attack at Southern Cemetery, which police are treating as a hate crime.

Officers say they believe the crime is racially motivated because only Muslim graves were targeted. The vandalism is thought to have happened sometime between Friday, November 20 and Monday, November 23.

Council staff have repaired the graves which had been pushed over and damaged for a third time after similar attacks in September and earlier this month.

Mustafa Graf, an imam at Manchester Islamic Centre on Burton Road, West Didsbury said: "It is disgusting and disgraceful, not because they are Muslim graves, everybody’s grave should be respected. They should be left to rest in peace."

Habib Dar, 58, from Woodbourne Road, Stockport was devastated after his father’s grave was damaged in the attack a month ago. Fortunately it has not been damaged a second time.

He said: "I wish the council would put CCTV cameras in here to keep an eye on things and catch the people who have done this. The culprits should be made to pay for the damage themselves. I can’t see them being caught unless there is more security here. It’s really very sad – the lowest of the low. How can anybody do this?"

The vandalism has also been condemned by an anti-fascist group and religious leaders in south Manchester, who are planning a peace vigil at the cemetery from 2pm on Sunday, November 29.

Manchester Unite Against Fascism’s Mark Krantz said: "This is part of a pattern of attacks on Muslim graves intended to hurt the living and spread division through our community."

Sue Rowe, a Methodist minister from Chorlton, said: "People who do this want to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred but they are not going to succeed. The vast majority of people want to be part of a community where people are free to worship as they choose in peace."

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

Detective chief inspector Steve Eckersley said: "It is an absolute disgrace that whoever is responsible thinks it acceptable to repeatedly target the graves of loved ones.

"This sort of mindless, racist behaviour must be utterly condemned.

"We are doing all we can to catch the culprits.

"We have increased our patrols in the cemetery and surrounding area and I ask people using the cemetery to be vigilant and report anyone causing damage to the graves or acting suspiciously.

Call police on 0161 856 6151 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.