Police are appealing for witnesses after headstones were found shattered and upended at a historic Jewish cemetery in Kent earlier this month. Officers were called on October 8 to reports four headstones had been damaged in the burial grounds of the Grade II-listed Chatham Memorial Synagogue.

It is believed the damage may have been caused between September 27 and October 4, police said. Kent Police have reviewed CCTV and are offering crime prevention advice to those responsible for the cemetery, which is estimated to date back to 1700.

Kent Police’s District Commander for Medway Chief Inspector Ian Dyball said: “This type of incident is thankfully very rare but I appreciate the impact it has had on the local community.

“Local patrols will continue to monitor the area and if anyone has any concerns I would encourage them to speak to the officers and PCSOs when they see them.”