Vandals crash van into graveyard

Lorraine Tinney • Published 16 Mar 2010 14:00

HEARTLESS yobs raced through a cemetery in a Transit van before crashing into headstones and setting fire to the vehicle.

Police say the old van was seen heading through the entrance of Port Glasgow cemetery, off High Carnegie Road, and down the main road of the graveyard.

But the driver missed a bend to the left and went straight on, ploughing into several memorial tributes.

It is believed they then set the van on fire before fleeing the scene.

Inspector Graeme Gibson, of Greenock police, said: "A van smashed into headstones at Port Glasgow cemetery at 8am on Saturday.

"The fire service attended to deal with the fire. No one was hurt and the vehicle was removed to avoid distressing relatives.

"Two men, one wearing a dark coat with a hood up, and another wearing a blue tracksuit top, were seen making off at the time."

Firefighters also attended the scene and say the van was destroyed by the fire.

Watch Commander Iain Kennedy, of the Port Glasgow station, said: "It was found lying across a couple of headstones. Someone spotted the van and police attended very quickly. When we arrived it was well alight."

It is not known if the van was stolen but police inquiries are continuing. Anyone with information should call Greenock police on 492500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Fire bosses are treating the incident as wilful fireraising.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 16 Mar 10

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