Fury as 25 gravestones in east London cemetery smashed by vandals
THOUGHTLESS vandals have destroyed 25 gravestones at a cemetery.
The sick thugs have carried out the twisted orgy of destruction at Woodgrange Park Cemetery
The sick thugs have carried out the twisted orgy of destruction in a four-week whirlwind blitz at Woodgrange Park Cemetery in Manor Park, Newham, east London.
Larraine Parrish, 68, said she was so upset after her parents' resting place was “battered with a vengeance” that she is set to move their memorials.
The stunned grandmother-of-five said their marble headstones, framed photographs and ornaments had all been brutally vandalised.
Miss Parrish, of Rainham, Essex, said: “I was absolutely devastated when I saw the terrible damage.
“I just couldn't believe it.
“They weren't just smashed, they were battered with a vengeance.”
She added: “I have no idea who would do such an awful thing.”
The vandals have destroyed 25 gravestones in total
Miss Parrish initially feared the graves were targeted because her father's name is written as “John 'Captain' Parrish” on his headstone.
“I thought maybe someone had done it because it sounds like he was military,” said the retired barmaid.
“But 'Captain' is just what we all called him because he was the head of the family.”
Cemetery superintendent Wayne Bufton told Miss Parrish that 24 other graves had also been randomly smashed up over the last few weeks.
Larraine Parrish was shocked to find her parents' resting place battered
Mrs Parrish's father, who died aged 89 in 2010, lived his whole life in Manor Park.
They weren't just smashed - they were battered with a vengeance
He was laid to rest beside his wife Doreen, who tragically died of breast cancer at just 31 in 1954.
Miss Parrish said she was so distressed by the mindless vandalism she is now poised to move their gravestones.
The graves were randomly smashed up over the last few weeks
“Last year, a bench we had specially made for mum and dad was damaged,” she said.
“If this happens again I'll have to get them out of there - it's just getting too much.”
Mr Bufton admitted that he was baffled by the shocking spate of attacks.
Miss Parrish said she was so distressed she is now poised to move their gravestones
He said: “It's not just Muslim graves or Christian graves – there's no pattern to this at all. It's upset me so much.
“I'm just very concerned that whoever's doing this is going to get bored of attacking graves and will start attacking people instead.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that they had launched an investigation into the wave of assaults and were hunting the yobs.