Vandals in cemetery wrecking spree

Mike Keegan

September 12, 2007

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Some of the pushed over gravestones at Southern Cemetery

VANDALS have gone on a wrecking spree, smashing 48 headstones in a Manchester cemetery.

Damage is estimated at thousand of pounds at Southern Cemetery on Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton.

At least one headstone has been smashed in half, while ornaments have been ripped from the tops of others.

Chorlton councillor Paul Ankers said: "It really is the worst kind of vandalism - and it shows a complete lack of respect. It will cause a great deal of distress to the families who come to visit their relatives.

"I'm surprised because I haven't heard about an attack like this for years and people here tend to have respect for the cemetery."

Coun Mike Kane, who is responsible for cemeteries at Manchester city council, said it was `a thoughtless act of appalling vandalism'.

He said: "This must have taken only a short time but will have a lasting impact on the families of those whose graves were damaged.

"It will cause a lot of upset for the families and will cost a significant amount of money to repair the damage."

Officials are working closely with police to find the culprits.

The vandals struck between 3pm on Monday and 10.30am yesterday in the new Nell Lane section of the cemetery and in the old section at the Princess Road end of Barlow Moor Road.

Coun Kane added: "This kind of behaviour in our cemeteries shows a complete lack of respect and will not be tolerated. We are working closely with the police to track down those responsible for this distressing crime."

In July, a similar attack was carried out at a cemetery in Lower Ince, Wigan. Vandals smashed 40 gravestones and stole ornamental pots in an attack described as `despicable' by police.

A police spokesman said that they were investigating the latest attack and inquiries were continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4783.

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Showing comments 1 to 18 and replies | View All

come-on-city (12/09/2007 at 10:43)

Scum!

The Catcher, In the Rye (12/09/2007 at 11:01)

Yet again, I say to all the posters who maintain that society is no worse now than it was in the past, what rot!

What sort of mindless morons have we produced? Who's to blame? Where is it all heading?

What will these cretins get if they are caught?

Jimc (12/09/2007 at 11:05)

These pieces of trash have no respect for the living, let alone have respect for the dead. A public flogging is what is needed. Any thoughts on that LM, Happyblue. Do you think being socially inept is a reason for this mindless thugery.

come-on-city (12/09/2007 at 11:18)

Society is NOT worse than it was in the past!!

They were scum then and are now the parents and grandparents of the scum now!!

come-on-city (12/09/2007 at 11:25)

I remember coming to Manchester when I was a kid in the late 1970's, and to this day I clearly remember on the radio of a crime spree of kids smashing gravestones.

It seems the authorities still don't know how to stop this behaviour.

The Catcher, In the Rye (12/09/2007 at 11:25)

What is the difference between people who spray paint over other people's property and those who wreck the graves of people's dear departed? The answer, of course is 'Nothing'.

However, if they catch these demonic idiots, will they get gaol? No, they will get a bit of community service and a talking to. They should be locked up.

The Catcher, In the Rye (12/09/2007 at 11:28)

come-on-city: I hate to be patronising (do you know that that means?) but the 1970s is hardly the distant past to some of us.

Andy., Bury (12/09/2007 at 11:31)

You don't think desecrating graves is worse than graffiti? Maybe societal values have changed after all.

come-on-city (12/09/2007 at 11:33)

Ok, I see your point.

But still this is ridiculous to be allowed to still continue.

No doubt they were drunk.

The Catcher, In the Rye (12/09/2007 at 11:36)

Andy: I don't think we should waste time creating a league table of naughtiness. Wrecking other people's hard work is as unacceptable as knowckingh over memorials. Different - yes, but no worse.

Societal values have certainly changed, because society has changed - for the worse.

ace, manchester (12/09/2007 at 11:48)

come-on-city
No but i do and you will guess what it is ? youve got it the BIRCH two strikes and your out. thats all it takes.Once theve had the birch its very unusual they re-offend.

webby, trafford (12/09/2007 at 11:55)

cant be compared to spraying graffiti,it can be removed, headstones are going to need replacing!complete lack of respect for the deceased and their families!

Mr Angry, Bury (12/09/2007 at 12:41)

Catcher, assuming they were locked up, they will have 3 meals a day, access to TV, games etc, and the human rights brigade will look after the poor little darlings. I'd lock them up in a forced labour camp surrounded by barbed wire

Colin W, Abroad (12/09/2007 at 12:56)

you are correct come-on city, society was no different in the past to that of now, the difference is that in the past we executed the scum, sent them to Australia or into the army. Thats the difference

The Catcher, In the Rye (12/09/2007 at 15:38)

Mr Angry hits the nail on the head! Our problem is that prison is too soft - and before any do-gooder starts telling me it's a tough life, I work in them very often.

Get back to slopping out, sharing cells with rampant homosexuals, bad food, hard labour, poor heating, light clothing, limited light.

See how many are keen to offend then.

Mr Angry, Bury (13/09/2007 at 08:20)

Dead right, Catcher. Prisons should be turned back into what they would have been like in about the 1850's

Tina, Halifax (13/09/2007 at 11:41)

I strongly believe that community service will be imposed on these individuals once caught and I also believe that the community service punishment they should receive is that of regenerating burial grounds within their community (general picking up litter, re standing memorabilia etc…), to not only help them gain a respect for these grounds (which they clearly do not already have), but to witness first hand grieving relatives within them. I think they would be less likely to carry out such a mindless attack in the future following this kind of punishment.

The Catcher, In The Rye (13/09/2007 at 11:50)

Tina: or how about a bloody good birching in public? Be more effective I think.

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