Church leaders in Burnley have appealed for unity after three Muslim gravestones in the local cemetery were desecrated on Sunday.
The graves in the Muslim section of Burnley Cemetery were smeared with grey paint.
This incident comes amid riots across the country, following the spread of misinformation about last week's Southport stabbing suspect.
Father Alex Frost, vicar of St Matthew’s the Apostle in Burnley, called the vandalism “unnecessary and hurtful” and urged people not to engage in such acts.
Speaking in a video on social media, Fr Alex said: “Please don’t be a part of it. It is a silly game that people are playing and we are better than that. Please don’t undo the work that has been done in our community.
“Imagine for one minute that it was your grave of your loved one that had been vandalised and desecrated by heinous criminals, it is simply unacceptable.”
Frost went on to say that such actions and ideals are of "no use" to the people of Burnley, adding: “we need peacemakers.”
Burnley we are better than this. pic.twitter.com/WUMLUjEq4f
— Fr Alex Frost (The God Cast & Argos to the Altar) (@alexdjfrost) August 5, 2024
Rev Kat Gregory-Witham of St. Matthew’s also spoke in the video, urging people to speak and act with "love, generosity, and peace."
"I encourage people, you will probably be angered by this horrific behaviour, but please do also remain calm. Show love, acts of kindness to your neighbours...do what you can at this time to be people of kindness and love."
Father Alex reiterated the Church's support for the Muslim community, saying, "we are not against you, we are with you".
He added: "We will stand up for you and we will always denounce criminality and unnecessary violence."
Lancashire Police has described the incident as a hate crime.
