Shrewsbury police share update on hunt for 'Scrooge's gravestone' vandals - as fundraiser is launched to restore it
Police have narrowed down a timeframe in the hunt for the vandals of “Scrooge’s grave” in Shrewsbury - and a “kindly spirit” has launched a fundraiser for its restoration.
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Salopians expressed shock and sadness after news that the gravestone in St Chad’s Church cemetery yard - which was used as a prop in the 1984 version of A Christmas Carol and became a popular tourist attraction - had been smashed into pieces.
PC Jono Lightfoot is one of the officers investigating the “mindless” vandalism, and has said information from the public has helped narrow down a time when the offence is believed to have happened.
“I am appealing for witnesses after the grave of Ebenezer Scrooge in Shrewsbury was destroyed,” he said.
“The vandalism is believed to have happened on Saturday evening (November 23) where the headstone belonging to the fictional character has been broken.
“The grave, which is located at St Chad’s Church in Claremont Hill, was used as a prop in 1980s film A Christmas Carol.
“Once filming was completed the inscribed stone used as Ebenezer Scrooge’s grave remained in the church grounds and has since become a popular tourist attraction within the town.
“After some new helpful information we are now able to narrow down the timeframe. We can now make a fresh appeal to anyone who was in the area between the hours of 6.30pm and 11.50pm on Saturday and witnessed any unusual behaviour, please get in touch as it may help with our enquiries.
“You can contact me by emailing on jono.lightfoot@westmercia.police.uk quoting incident number 288i of November 24, 2024.
“Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100 per cent anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been launched by a Shrewsbury resident to raise funds for the gravestone’s restoration.
Louise Coupland said: “As the people of Shrewsbury are aware the Ebenezer Scrooge grave has been desecrated/vandalised and has had a big impact on people of Shrewsbury, so would like to raise funds to help with the costs of repairing the gravestone.”
To view the fundraiser and donate, visit gofundme.com/f/ebenezer-scrooge-grave-restoration.
