The cemetery gates at the Minster Cemetery extension on Bishop’s Drive, Southwell have been vandalised

Police are investigating a hate crime after cemetery gates have been vandalised.

The cemetery gates at the Minster Cemetery extension on Bishop’s Drive, Southwell were graffited.

Southwell Town Council has reported the crime to Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire Police.

The graffiti has been cleaned off by the district council street scene team.

A Southwell Town Council spokesperson said: “The Police are looking into it.

“They confirmed it will go to “special branch” as is classed as a hate crime.”

Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “We are currently investigating reports of vandalism in War Memorial Drive, Southwell.

“Graffiti was discovered on a cemetery gate and reported to police, around 3.35pm on Tuesday (16 July).

“This type of antisocial behaviour is completely unacceptable and simply will not be tolerated by Nottinghamshire Police.

“We are in the process of carrying out further inquiries to establish who might have been involved.

“It is currently unclear what time the gate was vandalised.”

Anyone who saw what happened, or has any information that could assist the police is advised to contact the police on 101, quoting incident 448 of 16 July 2024.