Hollybrook Cemetery 'suspicious incident' - What we know so far

Hollybrook Cemetery's Lordswood Road side was closed off for several hours as police investigated the "suspicious incident".

It left visitors and passers-by confused as to what was going on.

Officers were first called out at 9.05am and remained at the scene for most of the day.

Police said an area of ground “had been disturbed in what appeared to be suspicious circumstances” but confirmed the area in question was not a grave.

A section of the cemetery was closed off to the public and anyone trying to leave the cemetery from the Lordswood Road side was told to use the main entrance.

Police officer by the cordoned off area at Hollybrook Cemetery (Image: Newsquest)

One police car was seen at the scene by the gates while officers were seen speaking to those wondering what was happening.

A police spokesperson said on Wednesday: “It was reported that an area of ground had been disturbed in what appeared to be suspicious circumstances.

“We have attended the scene and remain there at the current time to carry out enquiries.

“We do not currently have a specific timeframe as to when this work will be concluded.”

Police speaking to passers-by at Hollybrook Cemetery (Image: Newsquest)

The sight of the cordon sparked curiosity from those walking through the cemetery.

A woman who asked not to be named said: “I was just walking through the cemetery and noticed the police car at the end.

“I asked them if I could just get through to the gate but they said I had to walk around. [I'm] not sure what happened, it’s a bit strange for the police to close off a cemetery.”

A man visiting his relative’s grave added: “It’s very strange that something like this would happen.”

Another woman who was on her way to pick up her son from school said: “When I saw the police cordon I thought ‘Why is the police in the cemetery, that doesn’t seem right to me’.

"But now I just wonder why someone would be disturbing the ground."