Yobs run riot in Dudley graveyard

Historic graves, some more than 200 years old, have been knocked over by yobs at a Black Country churchyard in an act of "mindless vandalism".

Nine crosses and two headstones were pulled from the ground and pushed over at St Edmund King and Martyr Church in Castle Hill, Dudley.

Church staff say the cost of repairs will not be covered by insurance – and they now face a struggle to track down relatives of the deceased. The wreckage was discovered by church warden Anne Mullaney. No-one has been buried for 150 years in the grounds of the church, built in 1724.

Church treasurer John Harcourt said: "This is disrespectful to the families of the people buried there, and these graves are part of the history of the town."

Insurers have told them that the graves are the responsibility of the plot owners – but a contribution will be made to make the stones safe. Police are appealing for anyone with information on 0300 3333000.