Vandals knock down more gravestones in Mill Road Cemetery

Vandals have smashed gravestones in Mill Road Cemetery in Cambridge for the second time since Christmas.

A spokesperson for the Parochial Burials Committee, which cares for the cemetery, said the destruction had brought “immense distress” to the families whose relatives are buried there and to the many people who enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the site.

Police have already closed the investigation into the criminal damage due to lack of evidence but the committee is hopeful someone may come forward with information that could stop further attacks.

Rev Margaret Widdes, chair of the committee, said: “Mill Road Cemetery is regarded by many people as a place of relaxation but also a place where people can be remembered. It’s very distressing to see this kind of damage.

“If anybody has any has heard anything, or has any kind of clue as to when this might have happened, we’d very much like to know. It’s such a large area that I don’t think we could install CCTV, but this can’t keep on happening.”

The Victorian monuments were damaged in a frenzy of destruction on the night of January 31. This follows another vandalism attack, discovered on January 1, which saw 12 headstones broken or pushed over.

Diana Cook, secretary of the Parochial Burials Committee, said police told her there were no lines of inquiry for them to follow.

She said: “It is very hard to understand why people commit these forms of vandalism.

“It could arise from anger about death or be the result of anti-social behaviour which may have more complicated origins.

“I would like to say to whoever does this kind of damage that I hope they will come to realise the immense distress they bring to so many people who love this quiet place, including the families of those who are buried here.”

Contact cambs.police.uk/report quoting 35/8343/23 with any information.