CCTV installed at Gosport cemetery after gravestones vandalised by ‘mindless morons’

Following repeated incidents of gravestones being vandalised at Ann’s Hill Cemetery in Ann’s Hill Road, Gosport Borough Council has installed CCTV cameras throughout the grounds.

The vandals appeared to target gravestones at random, as well as doing damage to vehicles in the surrounding area.

It is hoped that this will not only act as a deterrent, but potentially catch the criminals in the act.

Leader of Gosport Borough Council, Cllr Mark Hook, branded those behind the graffiti as ‘mindless morons’.

He said: ‘Of all the things to plaster graffiti on, this is the sort of thing that is just totally disgraceful.

‘They’re nothing but toerags, and they have absolutely no respect.

‘That’s why we’ve put these CCTV cameras up, to deter them and put a stop to this mindless vandalism.’

With work already underway, Cllr Hook added that the cameras may already be up in the cemetery.

Thanking workers for their quick response, he said he ‘completely understood’ why the incidents had caused outrage.

On social media, one post has been shared promising a financial reward for whoever catches the vandals.

‘It’s a very emotive issue,’ said Cllr Hook.

‘Whenever gravestones are desecrated like this it makes people’s blood boil, and you can understand why.

‘These are some people’s loved ones, some of whom may have only recently passed.

‘But we have reacted quickly to the situation and hopefully this puts an end to it.’

Anyone with information can call 999 if they see a crime taking place.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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