Brazen vandals who sprayed graffiti across several gravestones in Moray during daylight hours have been condemned as “mindless”.
Paint has been daubed over several memorials at the cemetery on Linkwood Road in Elgin, which has left families devastated.
Police believe the senseless marks were sprayed across the tributes on Thursday between 4pm and 8pm and have appealed for members of the public to come forward with information if they saw anything suspicious.
The cemetery in New Elgin has been repeatedly blighted by crime in recent years, which has included gravestones being covered by spray paint on previous occasions.
Last year police stepped up patrols in the area after reports from grieving families that flowers and ornaments had been stolen or broken.
Other incidents reported have included wreaths going missing, up to 20 gravestones at a time being toppled and a hedge being set on fire.
Constable Ross Love, who is investigating the latest incident, condemned the most series of damage caused in the graveyard and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
He said: “This is a completely thoughtless and distasteful act of vandalism, and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything unusual in the area around the time to contact police.
“It will be both costly and inconvenient for the gravestones to be repaired. Naturally this is upsetting for anyone who visits the cemetery.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 if they would prefer to remain anonymous.
