Memorial to baby vandalised

Officers condemn ‘unacceptable’ behaviour

The “desecration” of graves including a memorial to a five-week-old baby is being probed by police.

The damage at Hayfield Cemetery was initially blamed on rabbits by Fife Council but police say it was the work of vandals.

Sergeant John Weir, from Police Scotland’s community team in Kirkcaldy, said: “The level of vandalism to this cemetery is completely unacceptable.

“For the people who have seen their loved one’s graves desecrated, these incidents have caused them much anguish.”

Distraught relatives have reported vandalism to name plaques and described how flower vases and figurines have been broken and scattered around.

Heartbroken mum Rose Morton, 22, discovered that among the memorials targeted was the final resting place of her baby daughter Kacey, who tragically died in October 2014 aged just five weeks.

When The Courier contacted the local authority’s bereavement services earlier this week, the department said the damage could have been caused by rabbits or deer.

Among the potential suspects is a group of youths who were seen loitering near the graveyard on Thursday October 13.

Mr Weir added:“We are appealing for anyone who was in the Hayfield Road area in the last fortnight and saw anything suspicious to contact us.

“However we can only tackle this vandalism with the support of the local community.

“Therefore we would call on anyone who does see any suspicious activity at Hayfield Cemetery in the coming days and weeks to report it to police immediately.”

Information can be passed to police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police said there have been two reports of vandalism at the cemetery this month.

Ornaments were taken from a grave between Wednesday October 5 and Thursday October 6.

A second incident happened between Sunday October 9 and the following Sunday, when the grave’s fence was knocked down.

The cost of repairing one of the graves targeted was estimated at up to £200.

Liz Murphy, service manager at Fife’s bereavement services, said: “After being made aware of possible vandalism at Hayfield Cemetery we investigated but found no damage.

“If anyone has discovered any personal items missing from the graves of their loved ones, we urge them to report these thefts to the police.”

The vandalised memorial to fiveweek-old Kacey Sibbald at Hayfield Cemetery.