Efforts are being made to secure a Leeds cemetery which has been the subject of two seperate large-scale attacks on Muslim graves by vandals.
Last month, an attack saw about 20 graves desecrated, name plaques and headstones broken or topled over, grave surroundings ripped up and litter strewn about part of Harehills Cemetery containing 100 Muslim burial plots. There was a similar attack back in March.
Now, two Asian local councillors for the Gipton and Harehills area have said that community efforts are continuing to secure the east Leeds cemetery from further vandal attacks after the recent desecration of graves.
Following the attacks, councillors from across the city joined officers from Leeds Council, the police and local residents in a series of public meetings in an attempt to find a solution to the problems at the cemetery.
Side gates to be locked
Councillors Arif Hussain and Kamila Maqsood said that following these meetings, it was decided that several side gates to the cemetery would be locked to prevent unobserved access. Also discussed was the potential to install CCTV on-site as a deterrent to vandals.
Labour councillor Hussain said:
"The progress made so far to secure Harehills Cemetery has been very positive. The decision to lock the side gates is the logical first step to reduce the potential of further vandalism."
Maqsood - Leeds' first Muslim female councillor - added:
"The desecration of graves at Harehills Cemetery has affected families of all faiths who have loved ones buried there. It is a terrible thing for grieving relatives to have to deal with. That is why we are treating this problem very seriously indeed."
'Vandalism affects communities'
Hussain and Maqsood's comments have been backed by fellow Labour councillor Ron Grahame, from nearby Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward. He said:
"The vandalism of Harehills Cemetery affects communities across Leeds, as many people have relatives buried there. It is therefore vital that there is a strong community involvement in any action to tackle the problem and we will continue to work with all groups involved to identify further measures to secure the cemetery."
Families backed by Hyde Park and Woodhouse councillor Javaid Akhtar, are calling for CCTV cameras to be installed after the last outbreak of vandalism.
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