Family 'devastated' after man's grave destroyed in suspected arson attack at Dudley cemetery
West Midlands Police is investigating the fire at Gornal Cemetery
The family of a man said they have been left heartbroken after his grave was destroyed in a suspected arson attack at a cemetery in Dudley.
West Midlands Police are investigating the incident that happened at Gornal Cemetery last Monday (July 27).
When Mathew Harding's parents visited that same day to lay flowers at his headstone, they were met with a horrible sight.
"They were absolutely heartbroken," said Matthew's sister, Elizabeth.
She said a number of graves were set alight - from what she saw, they appeared random and weren't next to each other.
Elizabeth added: "The grief of losing Mathew is enough - we lost him eight months ago suddenly at the age of 37.
"It's just put us back down to stage one with the grief."
She said Mathew's headstone was partly funded by generous donations from a GoFundMe and a second fundraiser has been started to replace it.
Elizabeth wants to see those responsible for the incident held accountable, and for more security measures to be put in place so it doesn't happen again.
She's calling for measures such a more CCTV and the possibility of locking the gates for the footpath that goes through the cemetery at night to be considered.
Dudley Council, which is responsible for the cemetery, said it is "horrified" by what has happened and is supporting both the families impacted and the police investigation.
"This just can't happen," Elizabeth said.
"For someone to come in there and damage things in the way that they did to Matthew's is just unacceptable.
"It just needs to be looked at on a serious note that security needs to be in place."
She added: "Mathew was such a loveable, funny character and he was such a big part of our lives and we're just absolutely devastated that he passed away.
"For somebody to go in there and do something like that is beyond me and it's just made our grief even worse."
Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Dudley Council, said: “West Midlands Fire Service was called to a fire at Gornal Cemetery in the early hours of the morning on 27 July.
“This incident was reported to the police who have attended the site and CCTV footage has been shared.
“At this stage we are working under the assumption that this was deliberate and as such we are horrified at this cruel and dangerous behaviour, particularly at a time when demands on the fire service are at such a high.
“We will be supporting the police and fire service with any investigation and where possible we have made contact with families affected.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We are investigating after a number of graves were damaged at Gornal Wood Cemetery on Chase Road on 27 July.
"Ornaments, flowers and memorabilia were damaged. Bushes and two gravestones also caught fire.
"We understand this will cause a great deal of upset for the families whose loved one's graves have been vandalised.
"Officers are working with our partners at Dudley Council and West Midlands Fire Service as part of our investigation.
"Anyone with information should please contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting crime number 20/340630/26."