Police are looking into reports of alleged vandalism at a County Durham graveyard that has seen trinkets and decorative items thrown from the graves and other damage sustained.
Over the last few weeks, officers from Durham Police have been alerted to reports of suspected anti-social behaviour at Bishop Auckland Town Cemetery.
The anti-social behaviour includes trinkets and other items moved or thrown from the grave – which police are treating as potentially deliberate.
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Inspector Peter Lonsdale, of Bishop Auckland police, has called the situation an “emotive one” but has assured members of the public that the neighbourhood team are taking every precaution via CCTV footage that they are currently trawling through.
He said: “We have been made aware of repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour at the town cemetery over the last few weeks whereby trinkets and other items around the graves have been moved or thrown.
“There is a concern about the information we are receiving that there is potential for this to be deliberate.
“We are continuing to work with our partners, Durham County Council and their neighbourhood wardens who are currently trawling through hours of CCTV footage of the cemetery and its surrounding areas, as well as the entrances and exits to the site.”
The local neighbourhood team are now encouraging members of the public to report incidents directly to them so they can be investigated, as well as carrying out 24-hour patrols.
He added: “This is a particularly emotive issue, and we would like to reassure residents that we are taking a robust approach and will take action to deal with those responsible.
“Both response and neighbourhood officers are carrying out regular 24-hour patrols of the area and will be speaking to people inside the cemetery to gather as much information as they can."
Anyone with information is asked to email BishopAuckland@durham.pnn.police.uk or call Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Policing team on 101.
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