Vandals desecrate two dozen graves at a northern beaches cemetery
Police are hunting vandals who desecrated memorial monuments and more than 20 graves, including one belonging to a soldier, during a late-night attack at a Sydney cemetery.
Manly
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More than 20 graves were badly damaged and numerous memorial monuments smashed in a late night vandal attack at a cemetery.
Police suspect that more than one person was involved in pushing over or dislodging headstones in the Frenchs Forest Bush Cemetery at Davidson.
A security guard discovered the desecration about 10.20pm on Wednesday.
Northern Beaches Police sent two forensics officers to the cemetery in Hakea Ave on Thursday morning while the cemetery’s owners, Northern Cemeteries, placed the 22-hectare property in lockdown. Police were also tracking down CCTV coverage.
A police spokesman said it appeared the vandals struck as they walked through the graveyard’s Catholic Monumental Section before 10pm on Wednesday. Several graves in the lawn section were also attacked.
The guard counted 23 headstones that had either been damaged or removed from their positions.
The deaths date as far back as the 1940s and include a private for the 3 Pioneer Battalion, who died in 1948 and a five-and-a-half year old boy who died in 1949.
LOST SOULS
Parts of the smashed headstones were dumped on an internal roadway. Smashed flower pots and ornaments were left strewn over a wide area.
Northern Cemeteries CEO, Pauline Tritton, said she was extremely saddened by the vandalism.
“Our hearts go out to any family members directly affected,” Ms Tritton said.
“We are providing support where required.”
Ms Tritton said the organisation was assisting police in their inquiries.
Northern Beaches Crime Manager, Chief Insp Mick Boutouridis, said police were keen to speak to anyone who may have seen people in the cemetery on Wednesday night.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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