Equipment stolen in cemetery raid

A BURIAL site has been targeted by thieves, with tools used to maintain the site being stolen.

Thieves broke into a container at Park Avenue Cemetery on Constable Lane, Dinnington, and stole several items including a chainsaw, brush cutter and trimmers.

It is believed that £4,000 of maintenance equipment was taken over the weekend of August 19 to August 22.

No graves are thought to have been affected by the incident.

Police confirmed an investigation was underway to catch those responsible.

A police spokesperson said: “You can pass information to police via our new online live chat, our online portal or by calling 101. Please quote incident number 150 of August 22 when you get in touch.”

Dinnington St John’s Town Council, which is responsible for the upkeep of the cemetery, described the theft as an “awful crime in such a sacred place”.

They said in a statement: “CCTV footage gives evidence that this was around 1.36am and police are now pursuing their lines of investigation.

“There will be a delay in cutting grass and hedges in the cemetery for a while, until the equipment can be replaced.

“If anyone has any information regarding who may have committed this crime, or if anyone is offered these items for sale in suspicious circumstances, please inform South Yorkshire Police, quoting crime reference 2022/0822-0150.”