Rabbits blamed for cemetery vandalism

KIRKCALDY: Animals the likely culprits of destruction at Lang Toun resting place

Local wildlife may be to blame for a trail of destruction at a Kirkcaldy graveyard.

One bereaved mother described damage to her baby’s grave at Hayfield Cemetery as “disgusting”.

Other upset relatives have reported incidents of flowers being cut, vases upturned and ornaments stolen or disturbed.

Police Scotland confirmed it was investigating the matter.

But so far the most likely suspects are deer and rabbits according to Fife Council’s bereavement services.

Rose Morton took to Facebook to warn other relatives with plots at Hayfield after discovering tributes to her five-week-old baby had been tampered with.

“Half of the graves were trashed. Disgusting people,” she said.

Bereavement services said it had received no reports of any significant vandalism at the graveyard in Hayfield Road.

Service manager Liz Murphy said her colleagues were checking the cemetery for signs of damage. She said the culprits may not be human.

“If there are flowers with heads missing and vases have been upturned, it could be because of the kind of weather we had over the weekend. Or it could be rabbits.

“We’ve had some problems at Kirkcaldy Crematorium with rabbits and deer eating flowers that people put down.”

She added: “If anyone thinks there has been malicious damage, I would advise them to contact police.”

Kirkcaldy woman Patricia Stewart, 27, said the final resting places of her dad and also her sister Bernadette, who passed away earlier this year aged just 33, had been vandalised.

“At my dad’s grave, they had cut all the flowers, just taken the heads clean off them.”

She said her father’s grave was again targeted on another occasion, when vases of flowers were knocked down.

“I’ve heard there have been some thefts from people’s graves,” she added. “It’s the lowest of the low.” A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Fife were called on Thursday, October 13, following a report of vandalism at a cemetery in Hayfield Road, Kirkcaldy. Inquiries are currently ongoing.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

Picture: Steven Brown. Damage has occurred at Hayfield Cemetery.