UK cops launch hate crime inquiry after Sikh holy text found damaged in Leeds

The incident was reported by a member of the local Sikh community on Sunday (16) in Leeds’ Headingley area.

• Shubham
• 21 July, 2023

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By: Shubham Ghosh

POLICE in West Yorkshire, England, have launched a hate crime investigation following an incident where a Sikh holy text was found damaged outside a residence in Leeds.

The incident was reported by a member of the local Sikh community on Sunday (16) in the city’s Headingley area. It reportedly happened on July 12.

Initially, it was believed that the damaged pieces of the holy text had been placed in the victim’s bin by an unknown suspect after it was put out for refuse collection on July 11.

However, this theory has been ruled out after officers visited the victim to gather more information.

Chief superintendent Steve Dodds, Leeds District Commander for West Yorkshire Police, said any crime perceived as being motivated by hostility or prejudice based on race or religion is treated as a hate crime and taken very seriously.

“It is completely unacceptable for someone to deliberately damage a holy text with the aim of causing offence to the victim as a member of the Sikh community. We have launched a criminal investigation led by detectives from Leeds District CID who are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident and to identify who is responsible,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Acknowledging the concern within the local Sikh community and beyond over the incident, Dodds assured that the police are working closely with key community representatives to provide reassurance and keep them informed about the progress of the investigation. Local neighbourhood policing teams and community engagement officers are also offering support to reassure the community in the aftermath of the incident, the police officer said.

The police have recorded the crime as racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, and they are continuing their inquiries to determine how the damaged text came to be left at the location where it was discovered on St. Anne’s Road.

The authorities urge anyone with relevant information to assist in their investigation.

(With agency inputs)