Headstones vandalised at cemetery

About 40 gravestones have been vandalised at the cemetery

Police have stepped up patrols after dozens of headstones were vandalised at a cemetery in Greater Manchester.

About 40 headstones have been smashed in four incidents at Wigan Cemetery on Cemetery Road, Lower Ince, over the past month.

Police say ornamental plant pots have also been stolen from graves.

They have increased their presence in the area and are appealing for anyone with information about the vandal attacks to get in touch.

PC Mark Sayer, from Bamfurlong Police Station, said: "This is a place where people come to grieve and mourn the loss of their loved ones.

"It is absolutely despicable that mindless vandals think it is acceptable to behave in such a disrespectful way.

"As well as causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, they have also caused a great deal of distress to the family and friends of people buried here."