Police are investigating after families reacted with fury when mindless vandals smashed headstones and desecrated graves at a cemetery. Grieving relatives were left heartbroken when headstones were knocked over and damaged in the shocking incident at Connah’s Quay Cemetery in Wales.
Images shared on social media showed multiple headstones, crosses and flower pots toppled with memorial flowers strewn across the ground last month. The devastation over the weekend of 15/16th February – prompted angry reactions from locals, who vented their fury across social media at the wanton act of vandalism.
Now – after a fundraising effort including a planned charity football match this coming weekend has already raised over £3,200 – police confirmed they have so far made one arrest over the incident.
North Wales Police said: “All funds raised will be directed to a designated person who will ensure the money is shared fairly among those impacted.
“The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and while I’m unable to provide specific details at this time, I want to assure you that all lines of inquiry are being thoroughly investigated.
“I truly hope that the funds raised will bring some comfort and assistance to those affected during this difficult time.”
The police thanked the public for their “continued support” throughout the investigation process. So far, one person has been arrested in connection with the incident but there are no further details.
In February Zoe Owen explained her anger after her grandparents’ headstone was left smashed in half.
She said: “Along with approximately 20 other graves, our grandparents’ grave has been totally destroyed.
“We had four members of family that were buried there over many years including two grandparents and two parents.
“The grave has always been a centre point for all members of the family to visit to pay their respect and also somewhere for flowers or wreaths to be placed from other family members who have deceased in later years.”
She added: “We spoke to the police and councillors at the scene and the police are carrying out enquiries and hopefully find the culprits for this horrendous behaviour and bring them to justice.
“Our family will rally together to replace the damage and make the grave back to its original state, but the heartache and distress that this incident has caused will never be forgotten.”
Lynne Chick, whose daughters are buried in the cemetery, said at the time of the discovery: “My daughters are buried there, along with many family members, and I was filled with anger at the thought that anyone could vandalise the resting places of loved ones.
“I made my way to the cemetery, deeply upset by the news. When I arrived, I saw other families who had come to check on their loved ones’ graves.
“It was an extremely emotional morning for everyone present, filled with tears, anger, and questions about why anyone would commit such a disrespectful and vile act.”
Connah’s Quay town councillor, Gill Faulkner, alerted North Wales Police to the damage.
She said: “I was down there with other councillors, and it was so upsetting. It was really awful to see the damage to the gravestones and the impact it had on loved ones.
“It’s upset the whole community and I really hope the police catch the culprits. They were doing door to door locally asking for CCTV, and gathering evidence at the cemetery.”