WIRRAL Council has responded to reports of anti-social behaviour at one of its cemeteries.

A resident with family laid to rest at Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, who asked not to be named, claims she and her partner have witnessed headstone vandalism, quad bikes being ridden through the cemetery, dogs defecating on graves, and anti-social behaviour from youths.

But the council has since responded to the claims and said their commitment to maintaining the site as “dignified and beautiful" is supported by an "active hardworking Friends group".

She said she has “knots in her stomach” visiting the cemetery and feels as though the resting place has become “ruined by staff and members of the public”.

She told the Globe: “It's supposed to be a Grade 2 listed memorial garden yet my partner and I have witnessed staff pushing headstones over, razzing around on quad bikes and machinery whilst nearly knocking visitors over, leaving dangerous tools lying about like hack saws which nearly went through my foot as it was left next to a grave.

“They have had reports from myself and other members of the public regarding antisocial behaviour there of an evening as they keep the gates unlocked unnecessarily.

“It's resulted in youths hanging around in there and fly tipping and vandalising graves and headstones.

“But a member of their staff apparently has put a bike chain on one of the gates to keep it open. It's like they are encouraging the antisocial behaviour.

“They have a small sign on the gate entrance asking people to have respect and keep their dogs on a lead.

“Dog walkers blatantly ignore this and I've videoed dogs cocking their legs on headstones and defecating on graves. The sheer lack of respect is unbelievable.

“These people can't rest in peace and visitors like myself are harassed by dog walkers who get very aggressive and abusive when we ask them to put their dog on a lead.

“I have knots in my stomach visiting the cemetery now and feel its ruined by staff and members of the public. I've emailed the site manager a lot and they seem reluctant to do anything.

“They could enforce the dog on a lead issue and make a bigger sign. It saddens me to see what was once a beautiful, picturesque cemetery be destroyed into the ground unnecessarily.

“It just looks like a construction site. It's appalling. It's completely trashed.”

A spokesperson for Wirral Council addressed the claims stating that the gates at Flaybrick are not locked as they aim to “balance accessibility for visitors while ensuring safety and respect for the site”.

They added that they had received “very few reports of antisocial behaviour in recent times”.

Adding to their response a council spokesperson said that “it is not the case” that headstone stones are being pushed over by staff and that they are currently conducting safety complicate tests of 20% of memorial headstones.

They said: “If any memorial is deemed unsafe, we stake it and notify staff at Landican Cemetery so that the family whose grave it is can be contacted. We have had no reports that any headstones have been recently vandalised.

“There are no quad bikes used at Flaybrick. We operate a small tractor for maintenance purposes, ensuring minimal disruption to visitors. Furthermore, our staff only use power tools for maintaining trees and shrubs - we do not use a hacksaw. It is possible that such a tool could have been left by a visitor tending a grave.”

When it came to dog control measures, the council said they “recognised there was an issue” with small minority dog walkers not adhering to the requirement to keep their dogs on leads.

They said: “We have several signs placed throughout the site reinforcing this message, and we will look to make the signage at all entrances larger for better visibility. Additionally, Wirral Council is exploring options for enhanced enforcement of dog control measures across the borough.

“We encourage community involvement through initiatives like guided walks and volunteer opportunities at Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, aiming to foster a sense of respect and appreciation for this historic site.

“We fully understand the historic and symbolic significance of Flaybrick Memorial Gardens to Wirral.

"We are proud that it retained the Green Flag Award again this year with a best-ever score, which is an endorsement of the council’s commitment to maintaining the site as a dignified and beautiful memorial garden, supported by an active and hardworking Friends group.”