Thieves who targeted a historic Bradford cemetery have been branded “beneath contempt”.

They hit the tool store at Undercliffe Cemetery, Otley Road, on Sunday morning, swiping essential equipment used to maintain the grounds. They also damaged a 4x4 utility vehicle and cut through padlocks and chains using bolt cutters.

Andy Manning, registrar for the cemetery, said the culprits broke the steering lock and ignition of the 4x4 and then tried unsuccessfully to hotwire it.

Thankfully, no damage was caused to headstones or graves in the cemetery.

Mr Manning estimates the damage could possibly run to nearly £2,000 and the vehicle will need “extensive repairs”.

Slamming the culprits as “beneath contempt”, he said: “To steal from a charity who are caring for the final resting place of the great, good and everybody in Bradford.

“It’s just despicable.”

Mr Manning added that burials are still carried out at the cemetery and the charity, which is run by volunteers, is making an effort to be part of the community. He described the cemetery as the “jewel in Bradford’s crown” and said: “We run on volunteers, on donations and the goodwill of people. This is not just a kick in the teeth for us, it’s the whole community.”

Despite the cruel theft, Mr Manning said the team of volunteers is “undaunted” and will be carrying on.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing following a burglary at Undercliffe Cemetery over the weekend.

“It is believed thieves entered the cemetery between 12am on Saturday and 11.47am on Sunday and stole ground working tools from a tool store.

“Anyone who saw suspicious behaviour overnight in the cemetery between Saturday and Sunday is asked to contact Bradford Police on 101 referencing crime number 13180203300.”

The Victorian Grade II*-listed cemetery has been looked after by the Undercliffe Cemetery Charity since the 1980s. Packed with obelisks, mausoleums and memorials, the cemetery has drawn comparisons with the famous Highgate Cemetery in London.

In 1980, the site was sold to a property developer, but thanks to a campaign Bradford Council applied to compulsorily purchase it in 1984 and the site was made a conservation area. In 1987 the cemetery’s management was given over to The Undercliffe Cemetery Charity and in 1988 English Heritage added it to its Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest as Grade-II listed, upgrading it to Grade-II* a year later.