Key Takeaways
- A family’s headstone at the Rakaia Cemetery has been vandalized five times, with the family capturing video evidence of one incident.
- The family believes they know who is responsible for the damage, but police say there is not enough evidence to progress a prosecution.
- The headstone has been repaired and strengthened multiple times, but the vandalism continues.
- The family is frustrated and feels that the issue is being ignored by authorities.
- The Rakaia Cemetery is managed by the Ashburton District Council, but the council says that monumental works like headstones are private assets for families to manage.
Introduction to the Issue
A family is distraught after a mother’s headstone at the Rakaia Cemetery has been repeatedly damaged. The headstone has been vandalized on five separate occasions, with the family capturing video evidence of one incident. However, police say that there is not enough evidence to progress a prosecution. The family is frustrated and feels that the issue is being ignored by authorities. The headstone was paid for by the dead woman’s father and was erected at a one-year memorial service in April. Since then, it has been repeatedly desecrated, with the family believing they know who is responsible.
The Vandalism Incidents
The family first noticed that the headstone had been loosened, and after inspecting it, they had it fixed by stonemasons. However, the headstone was damaged again soon after, and the family contacted the local Rakaia police. The police were informed that the family believed they knew who was interfering with the headstone, but no action was taken. The headstone was repaired again, but it was damaged for a third time. Following this incident, the family had the headstone completely removed to be repaired and strengthened by stonemasons, who then reinstalled it. Despite these efforts, the headstone has been vandalized twice more, with the inset picture of the woman being damaged in October and the headstone being completely removed in November.
The Family’s Frustration
The family is at a loss as to what to do next and feels that the issue is being ignored by authorities. They have captured video evidence of one incident, which shows a man deliberately kneeling on the back of the headstone and pressing down with his knees to make it bend forward. However, the police have stated that there is not enough evidence to progress a prosecution. The family is frustrated and feels that they are being left to deal with the situation on their own. They have asked the question, "Do we have to keep enduring this?" and are seeking help and support to resolve the issue.
The Police Response
The police have confirmed that they received a report alleging that a hidden CCTV camera had captured someone damaging a headstone at the Rakaia Cemetery. However, after viewing the footage and speaking to both sides of the family involved, the police determined that there was insufficient evidence of criminal offending to progress a prosecution. The police have stated that there needs to be sufficient evidence of property damage, as per the Solicitor General’s prosecution guidelines, in order to progress a prosecution. The potential charge for damaging a headstone, if proven, would likely be wilful damage.
The Council’s Response
The Rakaia Cemetery is managed by the Ashburton District Council, but the council has stated that monumental works like headstones are private assets for families to manage. The council does not accept responsibility for damage or vandalism to private assets. The council staff have been in contact with the police and the parties involved, and the issue is being treated as a civil matter. The council’s senior manager, Toni Durham, has stated that the council’s role is limited in this matter, and it is up to the family to manage and maintain the headstone.
Conclusion
The repeated vandalism of the headstone at the Rakaia Cemetery is a distressing and frustrating situation for the family involved. Despite capturing video evidence of one incident, the police have stated that there is not enough evidence to progress a prosecution. The family is seeking help and support to resolve the issue and is calling for greater action to be taken to prevent further vandalism. The incident highlights the need for greater protection and respect for private assets like headstones, and for authorities to take a more proactive approach to addressing vandalism and property damage.
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