A WOMAN was left "heartbroken" after she discovered four graves near her grandmother's headstone in a Bradford cemetery had been destroyed by a car.

Emma Lofthouse made her usual daily visit to Bowling Cemetery to pay her respects on Monday evening.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The tyre marks spotted on the grass verge near the graves.The tyre marks spotted on the grass verge near the graves.

It was when Emma visited the following day at around 2.30pm that she noticed tyre marks and severe damage to the nearby graves.

Pictures show markings leading up to the displaced headstones and ruined graves.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Four graves have been damagedFour graves have been damaged

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Emma said: "The car only just missed my grandmother's grave.

"I go and visit my grandmother every day. My heart sank when I pulled up and saw the state of the graves.

"The damage someone has done to the four graves is so heartbreaking. I just feel really sorry for the families."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: This was the condition of the site yesterdayThis was the condition of the site yesterday

A police spokesperson said: "Police received a report of damage caused by a motor vehicle to a number of gravestones in Bowling Cemetery.

"The report was received at 3.10pm on Tuesday."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police are looking into the incident.Police are looking into the incident.

This is not the first time residents have complained about cars driving over graves at Bowling Cemetery this year.

Back in February, Trudy Maclean claimed the cemetery had been “neglected” with overgrown grass, potholes, fly-tipping and vehicles using the road between the two entrances as a rat run.

Emma hopes the affected families will be alerted after sharing the news with the T&A and the East Bowling Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page.

One damaged grave reads: "In loving memory of Harry Briggs, died June 9, 1989, aged 64 years.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: One of the damaged graves.One of the damaged graves.

"Also Marion his beloved wife, died July 17, 1989, aged 57 years.

"Reunited in eternal peace. Dearly loved parents and grandparents."

Another reads: "In loving memory of Hannah Maria (Annie). The dearly beloved wife of James Harry Sutcliffe. Died February 2, 1973, aged 81 years.

"Also James Harry Sutcliffe, husband of Hannah Maria. Died April 14, 1981, in his 90th year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: This headstone has been knocked out of the ground.This headstone has been knocked out of the ground.

"Also their only son Donald Sutcliffe. Died a prisoner of war in the hands of the Japanese on December 12, 1942, aged 23 years."

Do you know any relatives of the people named on the graves? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here.

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