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Historic cemetery graves damaged by vandals

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol
Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust A cross statue which has been knocked off a stone plinth and lays discarded in the overgrown grass beside it.Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust
The trust say the families connected to the graves have been informed of the vandalism

Members of the public are being asked to "remain vigilant" and report suspicious activity after a historic graveyard was destroyed by vandals.

Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust in Bristol said a total of seven graves were damaged, with Victorian marble headstones toppled over and stonework smashed.

The boiler room and crypt of the Anglican Chapel, a Grade II*-listed building, were also broken into and sustained significant damage in the process.

The trust said it may have to consider adding more security measures to the site including overnight staff and additional CCTV.

Google A screenshot from Google showing a path which winds through Arnos Vale Cemetery. The site is very green and surrounded by lots of mature trees. The graves look old, and some have large stone plinths and statues. Google
The 45-acre site is estimated to be the resting place of more than 300,000 people

The graves in Arnos Vale Cemetery date back to 1839, with the first burial recorded in July of that year.

The cemetery was designed to provide a more spacious and sanitary burial ground, compared to the overcrowded parish graveyards of the time.

In a statement, the trust said: "This vandalism has understandably caused concern to everyone that cherishes Arnos Vale Cemetery as a place of remembrance, reflection, and heritage.

"Acts of vandalism place additional pressure on limited resources, and divert funds away from day-to-day maintenance and conservation work across the cemetery and its listed buildings."

As a registered charity, the team relies on public support and donations to care for the historic site.

Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust A close up image showing the damage to an angel statue on top of a grave. The grey stone wing has been snapped, showing the white inside, and several shards lay beside it on the cross.Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust
Vandals forcefully snapped a stone angel's wings and scattered the broken shards

The cemetery remains open 24 hours a day, serving as a vital pedestrian route and green space for local people.

The charity said it remains "committed to maintaining this open access", but repeated incidents may lead to the trustees "reviewing these arrangements".

CEO Ann Fiddler said: "We are grateful for the continued support and ask everyone to remain vigilant and report any signs of new damage to the graves or the site.

"Together we can ensure the protection and conservation of this unique place for generations to come.

"Your eyes and support can make a real difference in protecting this special place."

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