The desecration of Muslim graves at a Nottingham cemetery is being treated as a hate crime in the wake of the Tunisia terror attack.
Nottinghamshire Police have stepped up patrols at High Wood Cemetery in Bulwell and other sites after name plaques and decorative lights on Muslim plots were damaged overnight at the weekend.
Nottingham City Council said it was treating the damage to at least ten plots as a hate crime.
The council's deputy leader, Graham Chapman, said: 'We totally condemn what has taken place at High Wood Cemetery.
'This irresponsible act of hatred achieves absolutely nothing.
'We will be increasing security at the cemetery and, although we cannot guarantee solving this hate crime, the council will be working with the police to do our utmost to track down the perpetrators.'
Wasim Chaudry, whose mother-in-law's grave was desecrated just three weeks after her death, said he felt 'absolute disbelief' at the damage.
The 41-year-old digital communications officer, from Basford, Nottingham, said: 'They broke off the name plate but we got off lightly compared to some of the other graves.
'Some of the others had been trampled on. I just don't know what goes through people's minds. It's unbelievable.'
Some of the graves damaged in the cemetery were non-Muslim but the main focus of vandalism was in the Muslim section, police said.
Chief Superintendent Mark Holland said the incident was upsetting for the families affected.
He said: 'Nottinghamshire Police has been liaising closely with the Muslim community in Nottinghamshire since the events in Tunisia and we have been in close contact following the reports of these events.
'I am sure everyone in Nottinghamshire will be united in their condemnation of these actions and we would urge anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact police immediately.'
Anyone with information which could identify those responsible for the damage has been asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.
By Sam Tonkin
