Car smashes into Oldham graves in ‘reckless’ incident

Reporter: Jon Chubb
Date published: 24 June 2019


Oldham Council have slammed the driver of a car who burst into a cemetery in the town on Friday afternoon before driving into several gravestones, smashing a number of them, and then fleeing the scene along with their passenger.

It was just after midday when reports first came into us here at The Oldham Evening Chronicle of the car, an Audi, entering Greenacres Cemetery, off Greenacres Road, and colliding with a number of graves before being abandoned and the two people inside fleeing the scene.

Greenacres Cemetery

An investigation has now been launched by Greater Manchester Police to try and find those responsible for it which has been described as ‘reckless, shocking and appalling’ by Councillors in Oldham.

They’ve promised to repair any of the broken gravestone as soon as possible but it’s believed to have left the community devastated.

Greenacres Cemetery

In a statement released on Friday evening, Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, cabinet member for Neighbourhoods Services, said: “This is a reckless, shocking and appalling incident and show a complete lack of respect for our community, the deceased and their loved ones.”

“I know our dedicated team of officers who look after the area will be devastated as I’m sure many residents will be.”

“We’ll be working hard to repair the damage as quickly as possible and ensure the cemetery is put back to the calm and peaceful place of rest it has always been.”

 


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