Naked man sparks cemetery alert

Officers were called after children on their way back from school said they saw a "half- naked" man darting between headstones in Broadwater Cemetery.

When police arrived, the man had gone but they did find a heap of clothes.

Hille Cook, of Carnegie Road, Broadwater, lives opposite the cemetery. She said: "The kids said they saw a half-naked man running around in the cemetery and they could see clothes draped over gravestones. The police were called and we just saw officers leave with a pile of clothes."

Persistent vandalism and graffiti have forced Worthing council to employ security guards to patrol the cemetery and lock it at night. But Mrs Cook said the cemetery had become too secluded and needed opening up again.

"This is not the first time this sort of thing has happened," she said. "It has happened sporadically over the last two or three years and it is very concerning.

"I know there were lots of problems with vandalism and graffiti but now the whole area has become too closed off.

"This particular incident happened just as the children were on their way back from school and walking past. It is a beautiful cemetery. It should be opened up for people to walk through and enjoy. It should not be a place where strangers and weirdos gather."

Jill Pedersen, police spokeswoman, confirmed officers were called to the cemetery at around 4pm on November 19.

She said: "There was a large amount of clothes - more clothes than for just one person.

"The clothes have been taken to Worthing Police Station as found property. Police community support officers have been made aware of local people's concern and will be stepping up patrols."

Mrs Pedersen said she did not know where exactly the clothes had been found and could not comment on the reports they had been draped over gravestones.