Headstones in the Muslim section of a cemetery in Birmingham have been pushed over by vandals.

The vandalism of approximately 30 stones at Handsworth Cemetery, which occurred overnight, is being treated as racially aggravated criminal damage, West Midlands Police said.

Len Gregory, Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for transportation and street services, said: "We are saddened at such senseless vandalism and our immediate concern is to re-establish the headstones in their rightful place."

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Mr Gregory added: "We will be arranging for the headstones to be put back in place as quickly as possible and making contact with all the registered grave owners to inform them of the damage."

A police spokesman said the damage in Handsworth, which borders the riot-hit Lozells area, was being investigated by officers at Thornhill Road police station.

The spokesman said: "A number of headstones have been pushed over in a small section of the cemetery and this is being treated as racially aggravated criminal damage.

"The council cleared away some literature found at the cemetery which will be forensically examined by the police."

More on this story in Saturday's Birmingham Post