Outrage as teens arrested after more than 100 headstones were vandalised at Toowoomba-Drayton Cemetery
Residents of an Australian town are furious after three local teenagers allegedly vandalised more than 100 gravestones at a cemetery.
Police said the vandalism took place at Toowoomba-Drayton Cemetery in south-east Queensland between Friday night and Saturday morning.
Two 15-year-olds and one 17-year-old were tried under the Juvenile Criminal Justice Act.
Toowoomba Regional Councillor Tim McMahon took to social media on Monday to say he had visited the cemetery to see the devastation first-hand, joining the mayor and other councillors in issuing a “public condemnation”.
“As I walked through quickly, I saw graves everywhere that had been deliberately destroyed,” he said.
“If you are so angry at society that this seems like a good idea, there are many other ways to express your frustration.”
Queensland MP and Shadow Minister for Finance David Janetzki said: “There are no words for this, but if there were, all I can say is that it doesn’t get any lower than desecration of graves.”
Those who commented on the politician’s post agreed.
More than 100 graves reportedly vandalised by three teenagers in Toowoomba (photo)
Police said the two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old were arrested under the Juvenile Justice Act
“What a shocking action. Those responsible must make amends for their vandalism. Heavy manual work must be reintroduced into the legal system,” someone said.
“How disrespectful,” said another.
One commentator said that ‘their sister’s grave was only finished last week and was completely destroyed’.
“It’s heartbreaking, especially for my nieces who come to visit from Perth.”
Many gravestones have been smashed and will be expensive to repair (see photo)
A fourth said: ‘We have done a lot of research into the history of Drayton and visited the graves of our pioneers’.
‘Headstones are a great source of information and also give us a sense of admiration for these tough families who founded our city and the Darling Downs. What a shame.’
Municipal officials, stonemasons and volunteers are busy with the repairs, which are expected to take months.