CCTV to stop the cemetery vandals (From This Is Lancashire)

CCTV to stop the cemetery vandals

9:20am Thursday 22nd November 2007 in

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POLICE are calling for CCTV to be installed at a graveyard where the headstone of a young girl was wrecked by vandals.

Officers will raise concerns about security at Tonge Cemetery with councillors at the next area forum covering the East Bolton area.

Devastated members of Chelsea Hartigan's family found a picture on her headstone smashed and broken ornaments scattered nearby when they went to tend the grave earlier this month.

Chelsea was aged just 12 when she died in February, 2004, after being hit by two cars as she tried to cross the M61 on foot.

Tonge Fold area's community beat officer PC Steve Hilton said: "The issue of children drinking around the park and cemetery was brought up by residents at a recent community event.

"What seems to happen is that they get drunk in the park and cause a nuisance both there and in the cemetery.

"It is something we will address through patrols but a recommendation will also be made to the council that fencing between Edditch Grove and the park is made more secure and CCTV is installed.

"We have carried out forensic tests on a piece of concrete which we found at the scene and we are continuing to appeal for information."

Chelsea's heartbroken mother, 38-year-old Lisha Parker, aged 38, said: "It's sad that it has to come to this, but if the council has to fit CCTV to stop people from doing this, then that's what they should.

"I would hate for someone to go through the same as us and I want to appeal to anybody who knows who did this to come forward to police."

Mrs Parker said the family had saved for two years for the black headstone and now faced an expensive repair bill.

Cllr Nick Peel, who represents the Tonge with The Haulgh area, said: "Cemeteries should be a private place to grieve.

"Although these types of incident are rare, they are very upsetting. We will look very carefully at any suggestions."

Harper Green School pupil Chelsea had been with a 14-year-old on the night she died.

The pair walked across a golf course towards the motorway as it got dark, before Chelsea tried to cross the six lanes of the M61.

A Land Rover Freelander travelling in the outside lane hit Chelsea, knocking her into the middle of road where she was hit be a second car.

She was pronounced dead at hospital.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should call police on 0161 856 5761.