'Unsettling and highly disrespectful' – Inverness cemetery flooded after being hit by vandalism
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A member of the public has slammed the "highly disrespectful" actions of vandals after an Inverness cemetery was left flooded over the weekend.
Damage caused to a graveside tap has resulted in water pouring on to the west side of the grounds at Tomnahurich Cemetery, leaving most of the path and surrounding area submerged.
The flooding has continued this morning.
Local resident, Hannah Watson, says she has reported the damage to Police Scotland and Highland Council, but as yet no action has been taken.
She said: "I believe the tap was vandalised and it’s leaking rapidly. I have phoned the police and the council with no fix at all yet.
"There’s so much vandalism all throughout the cemetery. A lot of the graves have these warning stickers over them. Nothing seems to be getting done. It’s unsettling, and highly disrespectful."
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “We are aware of this issue which is being treated as an emergency and a plumber has been arranged to deal with it immediately.”
It is not the first time the burial grounds at Tomnahurich have been targeted by vandals.
- 'Emotional distress' caused by 'inexcusable' vandalism at Inverness cemetery is 'totally unacceptable'
- 'Total lack of respect' for Tomnahurich Cemetery in Inverness, says journalist left outraged following nine-hour trip to place flowers on family graves
- 'This will be distressing' for Inverness cemetery visitors, says Inverness councillor
This year alone, several gravestones have been toppled, six wheelie bins have been set on fire and two benches have been destroyed.
In May, Highland Council said it planned to contact owners of vandalised gravestones to discuss repair options.
