Fourth arrest over Rotherham graveyard incident as police continue Laughton investigation

Police have made a fourth arrest over an alleged grave tampering incident in a South Yorkshire churchyard.

Detectives investigating reports of a crime relating to a grave within the church yard at All Saints, Laughton, Rotherham, announced the latest arrest this afternoon.

Police during the investigation at Laughton-en-le Morthen churchyard - pic by Kerrie Beddowsplaceholder image
Police during the investigation at Laughton-en-le Morthen churchyard - pic by Kerrie Beddows

South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: “On Tuesday evening (March 3), a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

“Two 25-year-old men, and a 53-year-old man, who were arrested in February on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and conspiracy to commit criminal damage, remain on bail.

“A police presence was at the church yard for a total of eight days while we conducted our enquiries. The church yard was closed to the public during this time, but has since reopened.”

Police say the next-of-kin connected to the grave have been informed and they continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.

The police investigation remains on going and officers are still appealing for two groups of people to contact them:

> Anyone who was on Rotherham Lane between the evening of Saturday, January 31 and morning of Sunday, February 1, and saw anything suspicious or has CCTV footage or images.

> Anyone who visited the church yard between Thursday, January 29 and Sunday, February 1.

Call police on 101 or through their online reporting, quoting incident 398 of February 1, 2026. You can submit footage here: https://orlo.uk/sYeGZ

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

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