Callous stone thieves have targeted monuments in Utley Cemetery.

Police and members of the public have condemned the criminals, who had to abandon their haul of stolen stone before they could make off with it.

A resident, who did not want to be identified, said he first spotted the damage last Thursday. He said he saw at least two headstones in the older part of the cemetery, near Skipton Road, which had been pushed over and broken.

“It makes you feel sick to know that some mindless person would steal from a graveyard,” he said.

Inspector Di Collins, of Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Criminal damage to tombstones and other memorials is something we take very seriously.

“We would be interested to hear from anyone who saw a dark red/purple hatchback in the cemetery on January 31. Anyone with information is asked to call Keighley NPT on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”