A SPATE of mindless New Year vandalism in the Burnfoot area of Hawick has prompted an appeal for witnesses from the police, writes Andrew Keddie.
The most serious incident took place at Wilton Cemetery in Burnfoot Road where a headstone was forced over and left hanging at an angle of 45 degrees.
The vandal attack, which occurred in a remote section of the cemetery, was discovered on Monday afternoon. Police say that considerable force must have been used to dislodge the headstone which was attached to a cemented plinth and secured by two thick metal pins.
“Paths through the cemetery are frequently used by members of the public as a shortcut and we would ask anyone with any information about this incident to contact their nearest police station,” said a spokesperson.
Elsewhere in the town, the body panels of a silver Vauxhall Vectra, parked in Chay Blyth Place, were badly scratched between January 1 and 2. Over the same period, two cars parked in nearby Ivanhoe Terrace – a white Berlingo van and a blue Peugeot 406 estate – were targeted, the former having its windscreen smashed and the latter having its wipers ripped off.
Meanwhile, police have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to an incident in the early hours of November 19 when the flag of Hawick’s 1514 (Horse) monument was damaged.
Inspector Paul Clark told us: “We would particularly like to speak to a group of four males and a female who were seen acting suspiciously in the vicinity between 2 and 3am.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.