THE Jewish community has launched an emergency £125,000 appeal to improve security at Rainsough Jewish Cemetery following the desecration of 96 graves.

Members of the Rainsough Charitable Trust, a group set up prior to the vandalism two weeks ago, are appealing to the wider community for help.

They have also put up a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits.

As reported in the Guide, the cemetery in Butterstile Lane was targeted by vandals for the fifth time in recent years.

They went on the rampage pushing over marble and granite headstones and smashing family's memorials to their loved ones.

Immediately after the attack, police were treating the incident as racially motivated and two days later Bury Unite Against Fascism held a vigil outside the graveyard to show their solidarity with the Jewish community.

Representatives from the Charitable Trust met with Ivan Lewis MP and Bury Council to discuss how the local authority could support their bid for better security.

They estimate the cost of installing a perimeter fence, new lighting and CCTV cameras will be £125,000.

Committee member Herzl Hamburger said: "The Rainsough Charitable Trust was formed to improve facilities at the cemetery and we have already raised £100,000 for the refurbishment of the chapel.

"We have launched this appeal to the general community and are delighted with what has come in so far. We are confident that we will raise the £125,000 - in fact, it is imperative that we do."

Mr Hamburger said that he had been "heartened" by the response and added: "We gratefully appreciate all the help and kind comments made by the wider community, and also the vigil that was held."

Police are still investigating the incident and have re-issued their appeal for information.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier, of Whitefield CID, said: "We have had a fantastic response from the public but mostly concerns about the vandalism. What we need is information about who did this.

"We are appealing for people who may have heard someone bragging about the damage. It is disappointing not to have caught anyone yet as the sooner we do the sooner the Jewish community can start rebuilding."

Ivan Lewis MP added: "I and Bury Council have expressed support for the Jewish community's call for improved security. We need to find something that will protect the cemetery from further attacks, while being sensitive to the needs of relatives who need open access to the graveyard."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Whitefield CID on 0161 856 8248.