Hate crime: Sikh holy book thrown into UK gurdwara

In a "hate incident", a Sikh holy book was "maliciously" thrown over the locked gates of a gurdwara in the West Yorkshire region of England.

West Yorkshire Police have recorded the attack at Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara on Gobind Marg in the Barkerend area of Bradford last week as a "hate incident".

"Clearly this is an extremely distressing incident for the whole congregation and the wider Sikh community and we have recorded a hate incident," said Police Constable Mercer from the Bradford East Patrol Team.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in and around the area near to the gurdwara between 10pm and 10:20 PM on Friday (August 12) evening, who may have seen or heard anyone acting suspiciously around the entrance to the gudwara to come forward with any information," Mercer said.

"I would also appeal to anyone who may have seen a white rental van near to the location around the time of the incident to speak to police. Our enquiries, including examination of CCTV, are ongoing," he said.

A white rental van was seen in the area and it is believed the suspect or suspects may have used this to try and conceal their identity.

Sikh Council UK, one of the largest representative bodies for Sikhs in the UK, has urged "calm and solidarity" after it dubbed the incident as "beadabi (insult) of Guru Granth Sahib Ji".

"Due process is being followed in getting to the bottom of the matter and for those responsible to be held accountable," a spokesperson said.

The council is also working with the gurdwara's committee to begin restoration work on the holy text found on the premises.