Cemetery installs CCTV after reports of drug use and thefts from graves

CCTV cameras have been installed at a Wakefield cemetery after concerns were raised about anti-social behaviour, drug use and theft from graves.

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed (Conservative/Wakefield South) said residents had been reporting worrying incidents at the cemetery for some time, prompting the push for a long-term response.

He said: "These incidents caused considerable upset to families visiting the graves of loved ones and raised understandable concerns about the security and dignity of the site.

Coun Ahmed said the idea of CCTV had been put forward as a practical way of tackling the problems and helping to deter anti-social behaviour.

"Despite these ongoing problems, there had been no effective, long-term solution in place,” he added.

Coun Ahmed said he worked with the former South Ward councillor, Katrina Law, to take the proposal forward and that an application was made through the Council Grant Fund scheme, with the proposed camera locations agreed in consultation with the elected councillors at the time.

"I am particularly pleased that this work has now resulted in CCTV being installed and fully operational at the cemetery."

Campaigner Shabaan Saleem said the issue was personal because his father is buried at Sugar Lane Cemetery.

"This was particularly personal to me. I lost my dad at a young age, and he is buried at Sugar Lane Cemetery.

"I understand how important it is for people to be able to visit the resting places of loved ones, grieve and pay their respects in peace."

He said he had spoken with residents, local police officers and others, and attended a site visit to consider CCTV provision.

"Initially, the proposal was to install just one camera. However, I challenged this because I did not believe one camera would provide sufficient coverage across the whole area. I made the case for two cameras, explaining why greater coverage was necessary. This was subsequently agreed, with funding secured before May 2026."

Mr Saleem said he was pleased to have helped push for the investment, while acknowledging CCTV would not solve every problem.

"I have always been realistic that CCTV will not solve every problem. However, that should never be an excuse for inaction."