More than two dozen gravestones at a Christian churchyard in Stalybridge were defaced, prompting a police investigation and local dismay.
In the early hours between evening of 27 October and morning of 30 October 2025, unknown vandals damaged around 25 gravestones in the churchyard of St George’s Church in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, prompting local church leaders to issue a public appeal for witnesses and any door‑bell or CCTV footage.
The church’s statement said: “Our churchyard has been vandalised, affecting 25 of the gravestones,” and noted that “the police have been notified, and we have a crime number. Unfortunately, they are not able to do anything without further information.” Police have asked anyone who saw suspicious activity around Church Walk during the time period to contact Greater Manchester Police.