Help catch graveyard vandals
POLICE are stepping up patrols in Sutton after vandals damaged 32 headstones in a church graveyard.
The headstones have been pushed over at St James' Church in what officers describe as an act of "mindless" vandalism.
The culprits attacked some of the stones on Thursday before returning on Friday to cause yet more damage.
The Mail understands that families whose deceased relatives' graves have been affected have not yet discovered the devastating news.
Reverend Heather Nesbitt, vicar of St James', Church Street, Sutton, said: "I think it is so sad. It appears whoever did it just went around and systematically pushed them over.
"We cannot necessarily get in touch with the families so it is a case of waiting for them to visit.
"Then they will come to my door in such a distressed state."
Rev Nesbitt said she was preparing for visits from people who would be understandably upset.
She said: "Relatives are going to be very distressed to find the grave they have been attending, maybe over the years, has been desecrated as far as they're concerned.
"It is sacred to the memory of the people who are there and it is so sad."
PC Rich Watson, beat manager of the East Policing Team, based at Bransholme Police Station, said his main priority was finding who caused the damage.
He said: "There are families who have relatives and friends deceased in the graveyard and they expect it to be a place they can rest in peace.
"They expect to be able to pay their respects without having to put up with such mindless damage."
PC Watson said his team would be stepping up patrols of the area in a bid to find who caused the damage.
Anyone with information about the damage is being asked to call Humberside Police on 0845 6060222.
16 Comments
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by Chris, Sutton
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 1:27PM
“Why not knock on Mr Prescott's door...... after all he does only live a few hundred yards away..
Actually I wonder what he has to say on the matter of this kind of disrespectful behaviour going on right on his doorstep!!
Perhaps you should ask him HDM?!?!”
by Terry, In the street
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 3:18AM
“Sadly ,the morons that did this crime don't give a stuff if they upset deceased people's relatives as they have no concern for anyone beside themselves. And what would happen if they were caught by the police ? Not a lot I suspect with the way the so called justice system works nowadays. It may be an idea to contact your local M.P. or police commisioner to let them know your annoyance/anger/distress about this incident but I wouldn't hold your breath on a satisfactory outcome.”
by Anon, Hull
Monday, April 06 2009, 8:56PM
“I have to from the mouths of the PCSO'S that the camara near the post office, does not work and has not worked for months, so no amount of people saying check the cctv will make any difference in the slightest.
I must admint though the PSCOS do patrol the area quite alot.”
by kelsey, hull
Monday, April 06 2009, 6:39PM
“i went to my baby sons grave in eastern cemetry on sunday and some thugs had smashed all the little windmills on his grave and tore up the flowers i had put there and stamped them into the ground everything was on the floor smashed into pieces its absolutly disgusting anyone who can do something like that obviously has something wrong with them”
by matt, bransholme
Monday, April 06 2009, 5:40PM
“IF they catch the vandals the courts should be able to seize any goods from their homes to pay for the damage caused. Or better still take them victoria square and put them in stocks with a Big sign saying what they did and people could throw rotten Fruit at them.”
by paul, west hull
Monday, April 06 2009, 5:16PM
“this isnt the first time this as happened in this church yard but i cant recall it been as bad our family has family buried there these affenders dont realise what distress this will cause families they see this as an act of fun lets hope the police catch them and give a punishment befitting the crime of sacrilage”
by Kate, Beverley
Monday, April 06 2009, 4:36PM
“Can anyone tell me if the commonwealth war grave belonging toa RAAF pilot Pat Hughes was damaged? They did last time. This man was a Battle of Britain legend and this is the respect he gets?”
by Lily, Hogsmeade
Monday, April 06 2009, 4:00PM
“Why can't they look at this CCTV and identify the little scumbags who obviously live in the area. Then take them to court, name and shame them and make them pay for the damage. Forking out a grand for a new headstone might make them think twice about damaging one again.”
by Digger, of Graves
Monday, April 06 2009, 3:59PM
“Matthew, couldn't agree more. Discipline has been missing from society for too long. Time to rule with an iron fist.”
by Matthew, Hull
Monday, April 06 2009, 2:19PM
“lou - they are all just sick little *******.........
Hang the culprits if caught.....this is comtemptable!!!!!”