SECURITY measures at Bury's cemeteries will be reviewed following the desecration of a rabbi's grave.

Bury Council said it will look at ways to tighten security at the borough's three cemeteries.

It follows an attack on Philips Park Jewish Cemetery in Whitefield, when the ohel, or prayer hall, and two other chapels were broken into.

An urgent multi-agency meeting was called yesterday to discuss how best to support the Jewish community following the incident.

Whitefield Hebrew Congregation's Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag, who attended, said: "The prompt organisation of this meeting was very welcomed. It was very reassuring.

"I very much welcome the prospect of Bury Council's assistance with increasing the security of our cemeteries."

Last Friday, vandals broken into Philips Park cemetery and smashed the memorial stone of Rabbi Yehuda Zev Segal — a prominent member of Greater Manchester's Jewish community.

They tore books, damaged two windows and a number of sinks, and made off with CCTV equipment. Pipes were also stolen from one of the chapels.

A full police investigation was launched and officers said they are treating the incident as a hate crime.

Jewish community leaders joined councillors, Bury Council officers and representatives from the police for a meeting yesterday lunchtime.

Cllr Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for communities and safer neighbourhoods who chaired the meeting, said: "This was a very positive meeting, where all parties discussed the despicable attack on the Whitefield cemetery and how we can work together to support our communities when faced with this sort of event.

“We have agreed to review the security arrangements at all cemeteries in the borough and examine how we can best improve that.

“In the meantime, we will continue our work to combat hatred and promote harmony in our society.

“We would urge anyone who has information about this attack to contact the police immediately so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice."

The three cemeteries overseen by the council are Bury Cemetery in St Peter's Road, Ramsbottom Cemetery in Cemetery Road, and Radcliffe Cemetery in Cemetery Road.