Most headstones were overturned

The desecration of 30 graves happened on Thursday night at the Saffron Hill cemetery.

It follows a similar incident in April when 41 graves were targeted.

The police are now investigating and the city council, which owns the plot, is looking at stepping up security.

Camera plea

But Suleman Nagdi from the Muslim Burial Council says the latest attack was almost certainly racially-motivated and has prompted strong emotions among Muslims

He said: "What started as initial shock in the community, the mood seems to be shifting towards anger now.

"Many people are questioning the local authority who they feel have not done enough to minimise this kind of problem we have faced twice in one year."

He added: "Whenever there is an attack on a Muslim country or problems related to Muslims world wide we seem to see a backlash here, which is very worrying."

In the attack most headstones were pushed over but some were damaged or broken.