Cemetery cameras made permanent after grave damage

Temporary cameras were installed at Wigston Cemetery after instances of vandalism

CCTV cameras installed at a cemetery in Leicestershire in response to grave vandalism have been made permanent.

Anti-social behaviour and "distressing" damage to memorials in 2023 at Wigston Cemetery led to temporary cameras being installed.

Now Oadby and Wigston Borough Council has installed a system at the Welford Road site, as well as at Oadby Cemetery with the help of the Oadby and Wigston Community Safety Partnership.

Partnership chair, councillor Kevin Loydall, said: "Crime and anti-social behaviour of this nature can have a devastating impact on people who visit our cemeteries and who are dedicated to looking after their loved ones' plots."

Footage is accessible by both the council and police, and will be used to identify perpetrators of any further incidents, the council said.

Loydall added: "Through the installation of CCTV, we want to reassure visitors that we will not tolerate this type of mindless vandalism, and we are actively working to deter and identify perpetrators."

New camera columns have been erected in two cemeteries