A cemetery in County Durham has been targeted by vandals as trinkets and other items around graves are thrown, sparking regular 24-hour patrols.
Durham Constabulary received repeated reports of anti-social behaviour at Bishop Auckland Town Cemetery over recent weeks. Officers said there is a "concern" that trinkets are being moved or thrown deliberately and said in response that officers are carrying out regular 24-hour patrols of the area.
The local neighbourhood team are now encouraging members of the public to report incidents directly to them so they can be investigated. Police described it as an "emotive issue" and reassured residents that officers are taking a "robust approach" and will "take action" to deal with those responsible.
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Inspector Peter Lonsdale, of Bishop Auckland Police, said: "We have been made aware of repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour at the town cemetery over the last few weeks whereby trinkets and other items around the graves have been moved or thrown. There is a concern about the information we are receiving that there is potential for this to be deliberate.
"We are continuing to work with our partners, Durham County Council and their neighbourhood wardens who are currently trawling through hours of CCTV footage of the cemetery and its surrounding areas, as well as the entrances and exits to the site.
"This is a particularly emotive issue and we would like to reassure residents that we are taking a robust approach and will take action to deal with those responsible. Both response and neighbourhood officers are carrying out regular 24-hour patrols of the area and will be speaking to people inside the cemetery to gather as much information as they can."
Anyone with information is asked to email BishopAucklandNPT@durham.police.uk or call the Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Policing team on 101.
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