Disgust as human excrement and soiled clothing found within grounds of Sheffield cemetery

Volunteers working to restore a Sheffield cemetery to its former glory have shared their disgust after discovering human excrement, soiled clothing, and overflowing bins at the site.
The bins were overflowing with rubbish at Darnall CemeteryThe bins were overflowing with rubbish at Darnall Cemetery
The bins were overflowing with rubbish at Darnall Cemetery

The group began cleaning up Darnall Cemetery in June and since then have been busy carrying out various tasks to ensure it remains a safe and inviting place for families to visit their loved ones graves.

But, in recent weeks, litter has began to pile up near the bins and volunteers have even witnessed a pile of human faeces after travellers reportedly set up camp outside the cemetery gates.

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Used toilet roll, soiled clothing, and human excrement has been found at Darnall Cemetery within the last three weeksUsed toilet roll, soiled clothing, and human excrement has been found at Darnall Cemetery within the last three weeks
Used toilet roll, soiled clothing, and human excrement has been found at Darnall Cemetery within the last three weeks
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Norman Zide, who started the clear up project after fly-tippers dumped dozens of items of furniture and household waste at the burial site, said the rubbish and other waste first appeared around three weeks ago, shortly after a caravan arrived.

He said: “There was just loads of a rubbish and a bad smell which was horrendous. There’s been children’s clothing all over, soiled children’s clothing as well.

"In the far corner of the cemetery there was also a full toilet roll. It’s a bit far out of the way really so they must have been using it as a toilet as the strips of toilet roll itself were just laying all over the floor. There was even a potty in the corner which had been turned upside as to not get water in it, that was being used.

"One of the volunteers saw the excrement on the path near the main entrance, literally just as you go through there was a pile there with toilet paper at the side.

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"It started just happening, the longer the caravan stayed there the more it kept happening.”

Due to health and safety concerns, the volunteers stopped working at Darnall Cemetery and contacted Sheffield Council who have since sent out environmental health teams to clear up the unsightly mess and disinfect the area.

However, Norman says the rubbish is beginning to pile up yet again as the caravan remains outside the gates on Coventry Road.

"It looks better but things have started to appear again this morning, including a bottle full of milk that’ll just sit in the bottom of the bin,” he said. “We do need more bins to be honest, but the caravan is still there.

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"They’re clearing out the caravan and the stuff just goes straight on the floor outside. It’s just going to build up again so we need something done about it.

"We’re trying to bring some dignity and respect back to the cemetery and we’re in there every Sunday doing the clean up and taking great pride in what we do. But, we’re becoming a bit disheartened and disillusioned by what is happening around us.”

He added: “People have already said they won’t come anywhere near the cemetery while there is a caravan parked there, they’ve got to go through the travellers to get to the gates.”

South Yorkshire Police said the issue remains a council matter at this stage.

The Star has approached Sheffield Council for a comment and is awaiting a response.