A 15-year-old boy is due in court after children were reportedly seen driving a car around Toxteth Park Cemetery on Smithdown Road, while two men allegedly supervised while drinking. Merseyside Police responded to the incident on Tuesday, August 11, and said they arrived before any damage was caused or the situation escalated into something "far more serious."
Teen admits driving, adult arrested
The teenager admitted driving the vehicle. He has been reported and will be summoned to court, the force said. The adult responsible for the vehicle reportedly failed to provide a breath sample and was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit and failing to provide a breath specimen.
Community reacts with anger
People with loved ones buried in the cemetery criticised the incident, calling it "disrespectful." On Merseyside Police's Facebook post, one person wrote: "No respect for the dead," while another added: "It’s just total disrespect. In every culture I can think of, cemeteries are places that are treated respectfully." A third said: "Some people's actions are just mind-boggling," and another added: "This is my nan and grandad's resting place. Absolutely no words. We all grew up in that area, which is sadly beyond repair."
Police thank witnesses
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We would like to thank those who alerted us to this incident. The devastation caused when graves and memorials are damaged can be immense, affecting not only the families of those laid to rest there, but the wider community as well. Cemeteries are places of remembrance and reflection, and thankfully we were able to intervene before any damage was done."
