Fundraising mooted for CCTV to help curb crime in Chesterfield cemetery
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The group, Action Needed To Get Staveley Graveyard Safe, said it contacted Chesterfield Borough Council regarding the rise in thefts and damage to graves at the Inkersall Road site, and mentioned the possibility of a closed circuit television camera system to deter such crimes.
The move followed a recent incident in which an elderly man was left ‘quite upset’ after pots and flowers were stolen from his wife’s grave.
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Hide AdChesterfield Borough Council said it had stepped up patrols in Staveley Cemetery, although had no plans for CCTV at this time.
A spokesperson for the authority said: "We have undertaken patrols of the Cemetery and whilst we have no plans to install CCTV at this time we have been contacted by a member of the community who was interested in how much this would cost and whether it would be possible to install CCTV if they independently raised the required funds.”
The action group also contacted the council’s Bereavement Services team, who said they would look at obtaining a rough estimate for the CCTV although “to cover the whole of the cemetery, with quality coverage could be extremely expensive”.
Residents and those with loved ones are buried in the cemetery have since expressed their support for the proposals, with some offering to donate towards the cost of the cameras should the plans go ahead.
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Hide AdLinda Bexton said: “My sons grave and my daughter-in-laws step dads grave have both had things removed on many occasions. Lights and little personal things, they were found smashed in Inkersall. Many others have had the same problem. CCTV and proper gates would be brilliant.”
Toni Poole said: “It's absolutely disgusting what happens in there . There is always damage to the grave and theft in there. We all need to be able to go and spend time with our loved ones not having to go and sort the grave out before we can sit down and talk to them.
"Please let's all stick together and get this stopped. It's heart breaking for everyone.”
Natasha Morehen added: “Something needs doing 100 per cent I’d be happy to donate or even raise money through my business to chip money in.”