Vandals have devastated families visiting their loved ones' graves on Father's Day after scrawling a satanic pentagram and 666 symbols all over a church cemetery.
The lawn at All Saints Church, in Hull, East Yorkshire, was vandalised using oil-based paint with a pentagram and 666, which is sometimes known as the devil's number, painted underneath the star.
The incident is believed to have taken place some time overnight on Saturday.
Laura Atkins, 23, whose home overlooks the cemetery, said: 'My neighbour told me and we ran up to my bedroom because the window overlooks the cemetery. 'Nothing like this has ever happened here before.
'It would have been upsetting whenever it happened but particularly on a day like Father's Day. We saw some people going in while we were looking and they just looked shocked.'
Humberside Police said a 56-year-old man had been arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
A spokesman for the force said: 'The incident has been reported to us and we will be carrying out a diligent investigation
PCSO Darren Bainton called the attack an act of 'malicious defacement'.
He said: 'At a time when loved ones will be visiting the cemetery to remember those on Father's Day, this is a truly deplorable act of vandalism.
'This sort of incident causes a great deal of distress to families who have lost loved ones and will no doubt be met with shock and sadness in the village and wider community.'
The grass has now been cut and trimmed in a bid to hide the markings.
Dean James, parish councillor for Burstwick Parish Council, Hull, said: 'It's terribly upsetting to people that this has appeared on Father's Day.
'The police have been informed and the Parish Council are helping police with their enquiries.'
John Holtby, East Riding councillor for Mid Holderness, called the vandalism 'inappropriate' on Father's Day.
He added: 'Obviously it's not appropriate at all. It's disgusting.'
Brian Skow, who also sits as a councillor for Mid Holderness on East Riding Council, said: 'I think it's disgusting. I've never heard of antisocial behaviour like that before. It's the first I've heard something like this happening.
'I don't understand what kind of message they are trying to send, there doesn't sound like there's any meaning behind it. It could be kids but it sounds like it's more than that.'
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Humberside Police.
Labels: 666 numbers, All Saints Church, Burstwick Parish Council, East Yorkshire, Father's Day, Hull City, Humberside Police, Mid Holderness, Parish Council, Pentagram, Satanic Pentagram, Vandalism, Vandals
