11 gravestones in St Mary’s Churchyard have been maliciously damaged by vandals.

The destruction was discovered on Monday afternoon (July 17th) by a local woman who immediately let the Rector, Reverend Sarah Jones know what had happened.

Reverend Jones contacted the police, and a PCSO officer arrived at the scene very quickly. He and Reverend Jones found all of the damaged gravestones; although they are in various locations around the churchyard, the ones affected are in spots close to the footpath.

Most of the gravestones have been pushed out of the ground, but others have had crosses snapped off and toppled over.

The headstone of a 13-week-old baby girl is one of those that has been damaged by the vandals.

One cross that was broken off a gravestone has been removed entirely; neither Reverend Jones nor the police have been able to locate it so far.

Reverend Jones and the police are certain the damage is intentional, as so many gravestones have been affected; the bases of many are clear to see, covered in fresh earth, but sturdy and strong; they have not crumbled underground over time, and, as it is the middle of summer, the area has not seen a period of high winds and heavy rain that could have weakened the stones.

Reverend Jones told the Ross Gazette:?“This is a complete taboo. I’m not saying that as people they (the vandals) are bad, but their behaviour is bad, and it has to stop.”

She asked that if anyone knows who has caused the damage to come forward.

One of the local police officers, PCSO Davies, told the Gazette:?“Patrols are carried out and where possible more will be carried out.”

If you can help the police in their investigation, please call 101 and give the incident reference number:?610-S-170717.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.