Gosport graves vandalised for second time in two weeks with 'cry babies' scrawled on pathway at Ann's Hill Cemetery

The vandalism was reported near the Wilmott Lane entrance of Ann’s Hill Cemetery this morning.

Graves were defaced with red and blue spray paint, with red stars sprayed across some memorials, while others had the initials ‘TC’ and the words ‘Total Control’ written across them.

The vandal has also sprayed the words ‘cry babies’ across a pathway, which residents believe is a reference to a similar attack earlier this month.

More than a dozen residents brought household cleaners and scrubbing brushes to remove the paint.

Pauline Lewis called the police after discovering the ‘despicable’ attack at 9.30 this morning.

She said: ‘We have been scrubbing away for an hour and it’s not coming off.

‘We’re worried that it will be the war graves or the babies’ graves next time.’

The authorities need to install CCTV to deter further attacks, according to Gosport resident Michelle Ralph.

She explained: ‘We said two weeks ago it would happen again because they have got what they wanted – they are just loving the reaction.

‘We have got aunties and cousins and other families members here – we think there graves are all okay.

‘But I know someone whose mum’s grave has been targeted and I can’t get hold of her – I don’t want to tell her over text.’

Police plan to patrol the area in the coming days and expressed their ‘huge thanks’ to residents cleaning the cemetery this morning, according to a message from a Gosport police social media account.

In a message on Twitter, a representative from the force wrote: ‘We are aware that gravestones in Ann’s Hill Cemetery have again been damaged with spray paint overnight.

‘Officers are continuing to investigate and have been at the scene within the last two hours. We will be patrolling in the area over the coming days.

‘We totally understand the anger, frustration and upset which will be felt by the victims, as well as the wider community.

‘We share in that anger, frustration and upset. This damage will not be tolerated and we will be doing everything we can to find those responsible.’

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote incident number 44210105394.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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