Thieves have targeted a north-east memorial garden in what has been described as as “disrespectful” and “despicable” act.
Shrubs planted in the remembrance garden at Turriff Cemetery have been ripped out – with suspicions that the culprit will have simply taken them for themselves.
The Friends of Turriff Cemetery opened the garden earlier this year.
The group has spent years upgrading the graveyard, and in autumn planted new flowers and shrubs for the new remembrance garden – including rhododendrons and azaleas.
But the large plants have now been uprooted, with the thefts happening sporadically over the last few weeks.
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Fraser Watson, who set up the group in memory of his brother, former Press and Journal farming editor Joe Watson, labelled the thefts as “disgusting”.
“Over the past few weeks there have been azaleas and rhododendrons taken,” he said.
“It was discovered yesterday that another three azaleas were missing.
“They disappear and it’s always from the same area.
“To take something from within the garden of a cemetery is disgusting.
“It’s frustrating and annoying as people have donated to the cause and these are the fruits of the donations.
“We know it isn’t animals as we’ve had a badger problem before and someone suggested it was deer, but it’s too far into the town and there’s no footprints or signs of foraging which would be left if it was wildlife.
“It’s not vandalism either as you usually find them somewhere else if that’s the case.
“It’s someone who wants them for their garden which isn’t good at all.
“We’re disheartened but we’ll keep going forward.”
The group shared a post on social media announcing “with great sadness” that the plants had been removed by someone.
One local wrote: “How could somebody stoop so low. That is the lowest of the low.
“Turra you may have won an award for the town but somebody is pulling you down. Disgusting, no respect.”
Another, Gerry Quinn said: “Disgusting and utterly unbelievable. I will divert my daily walks with the dog to help keep a look out.”
Local councillors described it as “very disrespectful” and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Councillor Iain Taylor said: “I do find it very disrespectful and very lowly that these plants appear to be taken from the graveyard after many people have exerted much effort and time to create a quiet, reflective, tranquil setting.”
Councillor Alastair Forsyth added: “It is most disheartening to the Friends of Turriff Cemetery who volunteer to keep the the area in good order.
“I hope that this recent attack will not inhibit their extraordinary efforts that they have put into developing the cemetery as a place of peace and tranquility for visitors to contemplate.
“The perpetrators should feel ashamed and I hope that they are brought to book and dealt with.”
PC Hayley Stephens said: “The theft of flowers from the Turriff Cemetery Remembrance Garden has been reported to police and inquiries are ongoing.
“This is a despicable act which has naturally left those who volunteer at the garden upset.”
Anyone with information should call 101.
