Yobs have attacked up to 40 graves at a churchyard in Wolverhampton, knocking down headstones and destroying ancient memorials.
The shocking attack at St Philip’s Church in Bradmore saw gravestones pushed over, many shattering on impact, while a number of granite crosses have been smashed.
Vandals have even stamped through the concrete covering the grave leaving an open hole above coffins which have been undisturbed for decades.
Devastated vicar Rev Jeremy Oakley said the attacks had taken place over several weeks.
The church, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in July 2009, has recently completed a £200,000 renovation. Mr Oakley said: “I have a deep concern and sadness for the many families who regularly visit the graves of loved ones.
“It will be a terrible shock to them when they witness the unnecessary vandalism which has taken place.
“Local people are so sad because of the damage that has been inflicted.
“There is an acknowledgment and appreciation in the local community for the wonderful effort that the church and city council are making.
“The church has just spent £200,000 to refurbish the church, including enhancing the entrance with new glass doors, re-pointing the church walls, and re-facing the clock on the tower.
“The police are aware of this and have said they will carry out extra patrols.”
Some of the graves attacked are over 100 years old.
Wolverhampton City Council has recently spent money on resurfacing of paths and levelling unevenness in the grounds in Church Road.
Diocese of Lichfield spokesman Gavin Drake said: “We would appeal to all people who live near St Phillips, and all our churches, to keep an eye open for anything unusual.
“We don’t want our churchyards to become closed fortresses and this means they are vulnerable to attacks like this.
“Therefore we rely on the goodwill of our neighbours to help protect our churches.”
The churchyard at St Philip’s is classed as full and has been formally closed to new burials.
Responsibility for upkeep of the churchyard falls on Wolverhampton City Council.
Police are investigating the attacks. Anyone who knows the perpetrators should call Bilston Street police station on 0845 113 5000.
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15 Comments
whats wrong with this people! I hope there family are ashamed!
Something has to be done and done now - perhaps the birch for starters !!!!!
THIS is horrible, i mean whats the point?? Are we such stupid apes that we have reverted to ‘me smash. bang. hahaha.’ morons.
birtch then the cat of nine tails
What is the world coming too? Maybe some of the £200,000 recent spent should have gone on CCTV. I’m sure families of those buried there would see this as an intrusion - but non more so that having this sort of thing happen.
Where is the respect??? So sad.
simple solution to the repairs, make prisoners carry out the repairs, let them repay their debt to society by doing something of benefit to the community.
as for the scum that did all this damage, the public should get vigilante groups together and get this problem sorted out properly, i am sick and tired of the police not doing enough to get these ‘morons’ and i am tired of my taxes going towards any kind of ‘legal help’ that society believes they are entitled too.
i await the do-gooders to bombard this page saying my opinions are wrong, but let me say this final thing before you type your response. what did the people who’s loved ones are lying in those graves ever do to these ‘cretins’? no-ones grave deserves to be destroyed by these mindless thugs.
Garry, my sentiments exactly… time the good folk reclaimed the streets..
Morons - The parents should be made to pay towards repairs and those responsible should be made to work cleaning up for months to come!
Well im not to religous but i hope there is such thing as god and heaven and hell then maybe one day these people will be punished,
I am appalled! Scarey thought is - these idiots are our future!!!
Helen said: Jul 8th, 2008 at 1:55 pm I am appalled! Scarey thought is - these idiots are our future!!!
God help us. Bring back national service, prison is to easy for this total scum. This country is totally going down the nick,we are without a shadow of a doubt the softest country in Europe…surely.
we need to start vigilante groups. now before it gets out of hand. These scum need to be dealt with in the old fashioned way.
CCTV in churchyards? That would be like putting a plaster on a septic wound!
The problem is with society, those who have ‘dragged up’ these individuals and the courts / government who fail to support communities with tought laws and sentences.
Fear of punishment is needed - that simply doesn’t exist now. If these pieces of scum are caught today, nothing would happen. They’d be free again to continue destroying local communities.
THESE YOBS SHOULD BE FOUND TAKEN TO THE NEARST COP SHOP PUT INTO A CELL WITH A BIG STRAPPING COPPER AND GIVEN 10 STROKES OF THE CANE. I KNOW IT SOUNDS VICTORIAN BUT IF THEY DO THAT THEY WON’T DO IT AGAIN. BUT WHAT ABOUT THERE HUMAN RIGHTS BUT IF YOUR A BRIT. YOU DON’T HAVE ANY BUT IF YOU ARE AN IMIGRANT YOU HAVE.
enough is enough catch these little drug fuelled morons and put them in stocks in the middle of queen square,along with their parents for further retribution