Homeless people have been moving tombstones and sleeping in graves (Picture: Cambridge News/BPM Media)

Homeless people have been moving tombstones and sleeping in graves at a cemetery in Cambridge.

Mill Road cemetery, in Cambridge, is a notorious haunt for drug users and is set to be targeted to tackle illegal camps, drug taking and dirty needles.

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Passers-by have also spotted homeless people sitting in the graves while injecting themselves and drinking, and so far there has been 213 needles found at the site.

The council’s team of litter pickers regularly target the cemetery – and volunteers are clearing up vegetation so there is nowhere to camp.


A city council spokesman said: ‘Council officers have been working with the Friends of Mill Road Cemetery group to identify hotspots for anti-social behaviour in the cemetery, such as littering, rough sleeping and drug taking, and to draw up an action plan to tackle them.

Cambridge city council, ‘Rapid Response’ team at Mill Road cemetery in Cambridge

(Picture: Cambridge News/BPM Media)

‘As a result of this meeting we will open up areas of the cemetery currently covered by vegetation, which could provide cover for illegal camping, drug taking or other forms of antisocial behaviour.



‘This work will take place once the bird nesting season is over. We will also be carrying out regular patrols of the cemetery and its known hotspots to deter antisocial behaviour, including dog fouling and littering.’

A report Cambridge City Council’s environmental team said: ‘No fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling over this period.

‘However issues continue within the cemetery with regards to rough sleeping and needle finds. A walk-about is due to take place to discuss a way forward in resolving some of the issues in the cemetery.

‘Three incidents of illegal camping were dealt with over this period. The cemetery continues to be a priority both for the enforcement team and for the area enforcement officer and street life officer.

Mill Road cemetery in Cambridge,(Picture: Cambridge News/BPM Media)

‘The street life officer for the enforcement team has dealt with nine incidents of abandoned property from people sleeping in the cemetery over this period.’

Volunteers undertake various regular works in the cemetery and a community payback team helped with the clearing of piles of cutbacks created by the volunteers.

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In 2012 police highlighted the issues in the cemetery.

PC Alan Tregilgas said: ‘It is not unusual to find drunken persons sleeping in this area and in some cases tombstone lids have been pushed off so they can sleep inside.

‘One resident said she was shocked when she saw a male sitting on a grave with his trousers down injecting himself in his thigh in full view of everyone.’

Number of needles found in Mill Road cemetery 11 needles removed from Mill Road cemetery in Petersfield ward in February 2018 20 needles were removed from Mill Road Cemetery in (a separate occurrence to the above) in February 2018. 35 needles were removed from Mill Road Cemetery (in a third instance) in February 2018. 10 needles were removed from Mill Road Cemetery in Petersfield ward in November 2017. 20 needles were removed from the corner of Mill Road Cemetery – near Ditchburn Place in November 2017. 45 needles were removed from Mill Road Cemetery in Petersfield ward in October 2017. 60 needles were removed (in addition to above) in Mill Road cemetery in October 2017. 12 needles were removed from near the wall to Ditchburn Place in Mill Road Cemetery in Early October 2017.

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