Vandals trash West Lothian cemetery

Nov 12 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A COMMUNITY have united in their anger after mindless vandals desecrated a graveyard.

The hooligans struck at Manse Road Cemetery in Whitburn, and their rampage is expected to cost around £5000 to repair.

During the vandalism spree, the thugs dislodged 19 headstones from their bases, 18 of them were knocked over, seven were chipped or scratched and two others were snapped in two.

And now local people have told the Courier they are disgusted by the damage.

Christina Baillie, whose son Francis and husband Daniel are buried in the cemetery, was one of those whose family’s grave was targeted.

She said: “It is ridiculous. I just don’t understand what there problem is.

“It’s a graveyard for goodness sake, the people there aren’t doing anyone any harm, so why would these hooligans do that?”

Another woman who has a family member buried in the cemetery and asked not to be named, said: “It’s terrible to think that someone would do this.

“It must be so upsetting for the people who have seen their loved-ones graves damaged in this way.”

Whitburn Community Council also added their voice to the condemnation of the attacks.

The group’s chair, Tony Gunn, said: “It is just shocking and dreadful that people should be so disrespectful.”

Police are keen to trace those responsible for the attacks which happened between noon on Hallowe’en and 9am the following morning.

Inspector Michaela Kerr said it’s important that the vandals are brought to justice.

She said: “This is a despicable crime and one which causes great distress to families who have already suffered the loss of a loved one.

“I am sure the local community will be keen to support the police in their efforts to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.”

Local councillors, Jim Swan and George Paul, urged the public to contact police with any information they have on the vandalism.

Jim Swan said: “I am absolutely shocked that anyone could carry out such a despicable act of vandalism.

“Someone must know who these people are and I would appeal to them to contact the police, and remind them that they can use Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 in anonymity and confidence. We really need to make every effort to stop this kind of activity.”

Councillor Paul added: “This causes so much distress to anyone who has lost a love one, and the cost of carrying out the repairs to the damaged headstones should be levelled at the perpetrators of this deed.”

And local MSP Mary Mulligan also passed on her sympathies to the families affected.

She said: “This is hugely distressing for the families involved and as well as the very real hurt they feel, it can often be costly to put the damage right.

“I hope that those responsible are held to account for this mindless vandalism and are severely punished.”