Ellon graveyard attacked by ‘reckless’ vandals

POLICE Scotland are trying to trace the “reckless and thoughtless” vandals responsible for toppling over almost 20 headstones at an Aberdeenshire graveyard.

Police are appealing for information. Picture: TSPL

The vandals targeted the cemetery at St Mary’s on the Rock Episcopal Church in Ellon at the weekend.

A total of 16 headstones were vandalised in the attack between 9pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.

A spokesman for the Aberdeenshire Division of Police Scotland said the 16 headstones within the cemetery had either been knocked over or broken in the attack.

He said: “This was reckless and thoughtless act and while the value of the damage itself is not yet known, it is the considerable and needless upset this incident has caused countless families and friends that is the real cost.”

The spokesman added: “Ellon is a growing town but it is still a tight knit community and we believe someone will know who is responsible.

“That is why we are appealing to local people for their help and I would ask anyone who has any information about the incident at all to contact us as soon as possible.

“Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they wish to remain anonymous.”