Police investigating an “abhorrent” attack on a Jewish cemetery in Greater Manchester are treating it as a hate crime.

Vandals targeted three chapels at Phillips Park in Whitefield, Bury, and smashed a prominent gravestone, two windows and several wash basins.

CCTV equipment was also stolen from within one of the buildings in an attempt to cover up the attack, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Rabbi Shmuli Brown tweeted pictures of the damage after it was discovered on Saturday evening, describing the attack as a “horrible act of antisemitism”.

“These cowards picking on the dead trashed the place,” the rabbi added.

Protests against Labour antisemitism Show all 14 1 /14 Protests against Labour antisemitism Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters clashed during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour Party AFP/Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose antisemitism, in Parliament Square Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square to protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks during the protest PA Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester blows through a shofar during the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of London's Jewish community protest in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP John Mann speaks during a protest against antisemitism PA Protests against Labour antisemitism People protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party as Jewish community leaders have launched a scathing attack on Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he has sided with antisemites ‘again and again’ PA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour politicians Stella Creasy and Chuka Umunna leave after attending the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A pro-Jeremy Corbyn protester holds a placard during a counter-protest Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A support of the Labour Party hold up a placard during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Jeremy Corbyn supporters during the demo Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester holds up a sign reading ‘For the many, not the Jew’ AFP

The estimated cost of repairs is £30,000, according to a fundraising page set up to help the cemetery.

Police launched an investigation and said the cemetery had been vandalised between midday on Friday and early on Saturday morning.

GMP assistant chief constable Mabs Hussein said: “This is an abhorrent act of hate which took place in the Jewish cemetery in Whitefield, Bury, yesterday. Officers are supporting the local community … and all efforts will be made to arrest those responsible.”

In a tweet which was later deleted, an official police account for GMP Prestwich described the attackers as “scumbags” and “a complete disgrace to humanity”.

The tweet read: “I hope the scumbags who desecrated a graveyard in Whitefield are proud! You are a complete disgrace to humanity! This is not what the community of Whitefield are about or accept. Anyone with info particularly about anyone trying to offload copper piping should contact us.”

Superintendent Paul Walker, of GMP’s Bury division, said: “We have launched an investigation and whilst the CCTV has been destroyed by the offenders – clearly in an attempt to cover their tracks – I can assure you that we have a team of dedicated officers working to piece together exactly what happened in an attempt to find those responsible.

“I understand that this incident will have caused distress to many members of our community and we are working alongside our partners including Community Security Trust to ensure that those affected are fully supported.

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