Check loved ones' graves and report anything unusual, urge family after desecration

The family of a man whose grave in Denehurst Park was desecrated recently are urging people to regularly check loved ones’ graves and report anything unusual.

Upon visiting a loved one in the Muslim part of the cemetery, the unnamed family discovered a hole had been dug into the side of the grave overnight.

Inside the 7” hole was an egg, pieces of paper with something written on it in another language, plus silicone to try and stick the items in place.

After reporting the incident to the police and Rochdale Borough Council, the man’s daughter says another hole appeared, which she thinks was the perpetrator returning to retrieve the items.

She said: “I want people to regularly go and check their loved ones’ graves and also for whoever is doing this to stop. It is an absolutely disgusting and vile act that they feel it is okay to go and damage someone’s final resting place.

“I am absolutely heartbroken that someone feels that it is okay to go and do this. I want everyone to know of this as no-one should have to feel how we have as a family.

“The council said this has been known to happen in the past, but the police had no other records of this. People need to report this.”

The Rochdale Council of Mosques confirmed a similar incident took place last year and that it has “no religious basis, or any cultural significance.”

A spokesperson for the Rochdale Council of Mosques said: “It is bizarre, and we can only think it has one intention and that is to cause alarm and distress to the family. 

“From the burial services’ initial report, we asked the council to check all CCTV within the cemetery and bring it to the attention of burial services staff and remind attendees of the terms and conditions of the cemetery.

“Burial services have made several extensive enquiries to try and understand the significance of the practice and identify the perpetrator.

“We requested all mosques to make announcements at Friday prayers regarding this non-Islamic practice.

“We do take this as a serious matter. We are, and will continue to, work in partnership to address the issue.

“We encourage people to report all such matters to the responsible authorities and RCOM where we can then monitor progress of any investigations.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the reports and have spoken to the family; we have also been in contact with the Rochdale Council of Mosques who have shared messages across the community.

“Any questions relating to our cemeteries should be sent to the council’s bereavement team at bereavement.services@rochdale.gov.uk.

“Any malicious criminal damage should also be reported to the police.”

Rochdale Council of Mosques can be contacted via email on info@rcom.org.uk.