Collapse of graveyard wall after stone stolen

THIEVES plundered valuable stone from another West Yorkshire graveyard.

The latest incident involved around 10 tonnes of coping stones taken from the wall of a disused graveyard in the Holmfirth area last week.

The theft was reported to police on Sunday but happened last Wednesday or Thursday.

The thieves took stones from a wall at the Methodist graveyard at Jackson Bridge, causing a wall to collapse. A 30-yard stretch of wall was damaged.

There were no known witnesses to the theft but police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact them.

Due to the weight of the stolen stones, thieves must have taken them away in a van or wagon, possibly having to make two or three visits to the wall.

The Jackson Bridge thefts come after a spate of incidents at churches and graveyards, as well as in village and town centres.

Last month three people were arrested on suspicion of stealing Yorkshire stone from Hunslet cemetery in Leeds.

It was found to have been removed from family grave plots.

In February a councillor blamed stone thieves for wrecking the heritage of Brighouse.

Thefts had taken place at Brighouse Cemetery and Wellholme Park, prompting Coun Colin Stout to complain that thieves were ruining the town by taking stones that dated back over a century.

Cobble stones from an ancient right of way in Brighouse also disappeared.

The footpath runs from Elland Road at Brookfoot to Brookfoot Lane leading to Southowram.

Other areas in Calderdale to fall victim included Norwood, Hove Edge and St Anne’s Church at Southowram.

In November last year thieves targeted the oldest church in the Spen Valley, Whitechapel Church. A total of 18 Yorkshire flagstones, possibly dating from 1820, were taken.

Thieves have also targeted homes in Huddersfield. In one case, a resident of Longwood returned home to discover his stone doorstep had been taken.