WA: Graves damaged at Geraldton cemetery
05 Jan 2009 1:50 PM
PERTH, Jan 5 AAP - Vandals have desecrated 21 graves at the cemetery in Geraldton in north-western Western Australia.
Police say headstones were pushed over and flowers thrown about in one corner of the graveyard, leaving several partly or wholly damaged.
"Looks like they've just pushed over some headstones which has then unfortunately damaged the headstones and (they have) thrown flowers around," Senior Sergeant Brett Renye said today.
"As they've fallen to the ground ... bits have chipped off or tops of corners have broken off."
One of the graves damaged was that of the father of former West Australian premier Geoff Gallop, ABC Radio reported on Monday.
His brother Lawrence said the family is shocked that Douglas Gallop's headstone has been vandalised.
"Well it's certainly senseless, it's just wanton destruction for no good reason," Mr Gallop told the ABC.
"I've notified my sister and my wife also knows all about it, but I'll certainly ring my brother, he's in Sydney at present and let him know and we'll have to have it fixed tomorrow."
Police say the cemetery is in an outer suburb of Geraldton with no nearby residences around.
They have appealed for witnesses to the crime to come forward.
