Community Funding to Pay for CCTV in Chesterfield Cemetery?

CCTV cameras could be used to help curb crime in Chesterfield cemetery.

20:48 01 May 2021

Members of the community have expressed their support toward raising funds for CCTV cameras to help curb crime at a Chesterfield cemetery. 

 

The group, Action Needed To Get Staveley Graveyard Safe, has initiated communication with Chesterfield Borough Council following the rise in thefts and damage to graves at the Inkersall Road site. The council has since responded saying that it had stepped up patrols in the area, although had no plans for CCTV at this time. 

 

A spokesperson for the authority said: "We have undertaken patrols of the Cemetery and whilst we have no plans to install CCTV at this time we have been contacted by a member of the community who was interested in how much this would cost and whether it would be possible to install CCTV if they independently raised the required funds.”

 

Residents have since expressed their support for CCTV cameras with some offering to donate towards the cost of the scheme should the plans go ahead. 

 

Linda Bexton said: “My sons grave and my daughter-in-laws step dads grave have both had things removed on many occasions. Lights and little personal things, they were found smashed in Inkersall. Many others have had the same problem. CCTV and proper gates would be brilliant.”

 

Toni Poole said: “It's absolutely disgusting what happens in there . There is always damage to the grave and theft in there. We all need to be able to go and spend time with our loved ones not having to go and sort the grave out before we can sit down and talk to them.