LOCAL MP Mike Amesbury has condemned a ‘mindless vandalism’ attack on 17 gravestones at Kingsley Cemetery.
Police were informed about the damage at Kingsley Cemetery last Friday morning (October 22).
It’s suspected the rampage took place overnight or during the previous day. Heavy stone crosses had been overturned and broken.
Flowers were strewn around after the pots in which they had been placed were smashed up. One wooden cross was turned upside down.
Mr Amesbury said: “The nature and scale of this mindless vandalism is shocking and upsetting, especially for those whose loved ones are buried there.
“You can’t get your head around why an individual or group would set out to desecrate graves. From my knowledge of Kingsley, I would imagine something like this is highly unusual. I’d urge anyone with information about this incident to contact Cheshire Police.”
Members of Kingsley Parish Council, who manage the facility and recently upgraded the paths, are ‘shocked and saddened’.
A spokesperson said: “The perpetrators have specifically targeted 17 graves with headstones featuring crosses and angels, nothing else in the cemetery has been damaged other than personal items on graves such as flower pots and ornaments.”
The parish clerk is liaising with insurers in the hope they will cover the cost of repairs. Please email if you have a query regarding a specific grave: parish.clerk@kingsleyparishcouncil.org.uk
Cheshire Police officers have visited the scene. PCSOs are carrying out patrols in the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact them on 101 or through their website, quoting incident number IML 1114184.
My colleague has informed me of some mindless damage that has been caused to headstones in Kingsley cemetery, some of which have stood in the graveyard prior to1940. If anyone has any information, can they contact her directly deborah.netherton@cheshire.pnn.police.uk or call 101 pic.twitter.com/kbZeJLlJ8c
— Frodsham Police (@FrodshamPol) October 27, 2021