NEWPORT'S Moslems say they will not let a "distressing" attack at their cemetery damage relations with the wider community.

Yesterday the Argus revealed how 25 headstones in the Moslem section of St Woolos cemetery were knocked down by vandals in a wrecking spree.

The incident, which happened last Friday, is being treated by police as racially motivated.

Officers are now going into schools to talk to pupils about the effects of such vandalism.

Omar Ali, secretary of the Newport Islamic Associa-tion, told the Argus the attack was hurtful for local Moslems.

He said: "It is very distressing for the families involved, Cemeteries are places of respect. It's a very emotive site for an attack.

"Although this kind of thing is not common, we must not allow it to happen again."

But Mr Ali added that he believed the community would not let the attack get out of proportion.

He said: "All in all the Moslem community in Newport has very good relations with others. It will not use one event to gauge the situation in the city as a whole."

The incident was the first major instance of vandalism in the cemetery for ten years.

Dave Phillips is chief executive of the South East Wales Race Equality Council.

He said: "This kind of incident has a twofold effect. Firstly, it has a very personal impact on those involved, those who have been subjected to an unprovoked attack.

"But it also sends a signal that reinforces the perception that Asians are second-class citizens in the UK."

Mr Phillips said the only way to combat this kind of race-hate was to educate people, especially children.

He said: "We need to bring them together, so that Asian, white and black kids can get together and play together and realise their lives are much the same."

Chief Inspector Dave Johnson, of Gwent Police, said although they were treating the incident as racially motivated they were not ruling anything out. He said: "The incident happened in half-term so we will be targeting pupils in the last year of primary school and those in comprehensive school.

"It's a long-term plan to make them more aware of the impacts and repercussions of vandalism, graffiti and general anti-social behaviour." l Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 01633 838111.