NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT To: WISHAW AREA COMMITTEE Subject: VANDALISM AT CAMBUSNETHAN CEMETERY, WISHAW From: DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES Date: 12 OCTOBER 2001 Ref: MMcM/KF/MB ~____ 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The report advises the Committee of the current position with regard to vandalism at Cambusnethan Cemetery. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 Cambusnethan Cemetery has been subjected to a number of incidents of vandalism over recent years. Unfortunately, such incidents of vandalism, typically taking the form of knocking over headstone memorials, have occurred in a number of other North Lanarkshire cemeteries, most notably Kilsyth, Cumbernauld Village Cemetery, and Old Monkland Cemetery, Coatbridge. 2.2 On Friday, 9 March 2001 a total of sixty four headstone memorials were knocked over in Cambusnethan. 2.3 On Friday, 21 September 2001 a total of seventeen headstone memorials were knocked over in the ethnic section of Cambusnethan cemetery. 2.4 As part of the budgetary process, vehicular access gates at a number of cemeteries ceased to be closed as of April 2000. 3. ACTION TAKEN 3.1 Following concerns raised specifically in relation to unrestricted vehicular access to Cambusnethan Cemetery, given that there were three vehicular accesses, the decision to close the gates at two of the access points was implemented. 3.2 A bid for funding of a CCTV for Tinto Crescent and Greenhead Moss Nature Reserve was expanded to include Cambusnethan Cemetery security. This was directly related to the concern about vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Unfortunately, the bid was unsuccessful. I:\COMMITTE\OTHER\AREA COMMITTEES\CAMBUS CEM VAND. .DOC 3.3 Security patrols were contracted to attend Cambusnethan Cemetery on two occasions per evening between the hours of 6.30 p.m. and 11.OO p.m., seven days per week commencing 9 March 200 1. This had the effect of providing information on the activities taking place within the cemetery out of hours, namely, youngsters playing football, sunbathing and riding bicycles. The cost of this service was 22,900 and due to restraints on budgets, the security service was decreased at the end of September. 4. CONCLUSIONS 4.1 Security patrols decreased the general level of inappropriate behaviour in the cemetery. 4.2 Security patrols may decrease the chance of vandalism but clearly do not prevent it, since the recent attack on 21 September, 2001 occurred when the patrols were still in place. 5. RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 That Committee are invited to consider the contents of the report. I:\COMMITTE\OTHERMREA COMMITTEES\CAMBUS CEM VAND..DOC .