A memorial garden at Stapenhill Cemetery has been vandalised just days after works to replant garden had finished.

Over 40 shrubs have been ripped out and thrown around the garden and whilst the Council has been able to salvage some of the shrubs, there are some that are missing.

The Forget Me Not Garden was opened in 1997. It is an area set aside specially for the burial of babies and young children. At its centre is the garden where those who have lost a baby either recently or in the past may place a remembrance plaque.

Councillor Dennis Fletcher, Deputy Leader for Built Environment, said: “The Forget Me Not Garden is a special place for many people in the borough. I’m deeply saddened and shocked to hear that the garden has been vandalised. The incident has been reported to the police and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward to help find the culprits.”
Sgt Bob Champeau of East Staffordshire local policing team said “Those responsible should be brought to justice for this incident, what they have done is wrong, it’s nasty and cruel, and there can be no excuse for this form of behaviour.  We would urge anyone with information as to their identity to contact us, they can ring the police on 101 or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”