Vandalism at Balgay cemetery in Dundee is putting people’s lives at risk.
That is the warning from the city council as it launches a campaign to encourage nearby residents to help catch those responsible.
Its plea follows a spate of incidents in recent months that have resulted in dozens of headstones toppled and memorials smashed.
A headstone can weigh several hundred pounds and anyone caught by one as it falls could suffer severe injuries. The vandals could be putting cemetery visitors at risk if they try to knock a headstone over and leave it in a dangerous position.
Now the city council is sending letters to people living near the cemetery asking for their help stopping those responsible before someone is hurt.
Environment convener Bob Duncan said: ”Recent spates of desecration at Balgay Cemetery are extremely distressing. We have been working closely with police and community safety wardens and are taking this chance to highlight this partnership effort to people who live nearby.
”I would encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to get in touch with Tayside Police or the community wardens.”
Since the summer they have been several incidents at the cemetery. The most recent happened at the end of October, when six gravestones were toppled and various ceramic ornaments destroyed.
The cost of repairing all the damage has run into five figures, but there has been an even greater emotional cost for the families of those whose graves have been targeted.
One of the most the distressing attacks was the destruction of a statue at the graves of twin baby boys who died in 2003.
Their mother, Tracey Towell, said the vandals had ”no respect” and she could not understand why they had done it.