Border Telegraph | News | Cemetery vandals branded heartless

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Thursday, 19th June, 2008 12:00

Cemetery vandals branded heartless

By Ally McGilvray

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HEARTLESS vandals have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage after running riot at a cemetery in Galashiels.

Yobs spray-painted obscenities on graves and headstones were knocked to the ground during a wrecking spree at the town’s Eastlands Cemetery, next door to the public park.

Police have appealed for information to catch the callous culprits after the alarm was raised last week.

Galashiels and Langlee Community Council chairman Bill White said: “This is disgraceful behaviour and very distressing for the bereaved families affected.

“I can’t understand the mentality of these mindless morons and hope anyone with information will contact the police - they need to be named and shamed.”

Last month, community councillors heard that underage drinkers were using the public park off the town’s Abbotsford Road as a drinking den and fears have been expressed that youngsters may be responsible for the damage which is estimated around £1000.

Among the disgusting messages on the graves included one which warned grieving families to "stay out".

Mr White added: “Not only was this the height of stupidity but by knocking over headstones they could so easily have been killed.”

The police, which has a specialist unit based in Galashiels to deal with vandalism under the codename Operation Gladiator, confirmed it is investigating the distressing crimes.

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