JEWISH GRAVESWTONES SMASHED IN LONDON

London Jewish Cemetery Vandalized

Gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in east London were smashed in what police are calling an anti-Semitic attack.

Up to 40 gravestones were smashed, fences were damaged and a small fire was started March 29 at the Plashet Cemetery in East Ham.

Officials in the Jewish community said the cemetery had not been used for burial in recent years.

Mark Gardner, a spokesman for the Community Security Trust, which handles security for the London Jewish community, said it was unclear whether the perpetrators were local vandals or a more politicized group.

"Obviously this type of attack is very distressing,” Gardner said. "There seems little doubt that they have gone to considerable effort to commit this outrage."