CCTV Released in Leyland Church Hate Crime Investigation

Lancashire Police are investigating a series of vandalism incidents at St James Church and its graveyard in Leyland, where obscene graffiti, including sexually graphic images and offensive phrases, was sprayed on around 40 gravestones and the church itself over the Easter weekend. Police believe the same suspect may be responsible for additional damage reported across Slater Lane during that period and have released CCTV footage of a person they wish to identify in connection with the attacks. The incidents are being treated as a hate crime due to the nature of the graffiti, which included anti-religious messages like 'God is a lie.' The vandalism has caused significant distress among parishioners and the local community, prompting the Archbishop of York to condemn the acts as a 'desecration.' Authorities are urging residents to check any available CCTV or doorbell cameras for relevant footage and to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation. Police are appealing directly to the public to help identify the suspect and emphasize the seriousness with which they are handling the case.