Vandalised Muslim graves treated as hate crime

Lancashire Police said it is treating the incident as a "hate crime"

A hate crime investigation has begun after gravestones in the Muslim section of a cemetery in a town were vandalised.

Some graves were splashed with grey paint at Burnley Cemetery at about 1615 BST, the town's council leader said.

Councillor Afrasiab Anwar, described the act as "evil" and suggested it was intended to "provoke racial tensions".

Lancashire Police said it was treating the offence as a hate crime.

'Heinous individuals'

Burnley Council said it had contracted a specialist memorial mason to clean the gravestones as a "matter of urgency" and contacted the families affected.

Some locals have gone up to the graveyard to try clean the stones, the BBC has been told.

Mr Anwar said: "There are heinous individuals who are looking to provoke a reaction in our communities.

"With actions like this, it is extremely difficult to remain calm, but I would urge you not to react to the provocation.”

CCTV footage was being examined, he said.

Lancashire Police said it was taking the matter "incredibly seriously".

A spokesperson said: "We do not tolerate hate of any form, and we will do everything in our power to identify the offenders and take the appropriate action.”