THE safety of memorials in five Haslemere cemeteries will be checked in a borough-wide inspection being undertaken by Waverley of all the cemeteries the council owns to ensure they do not pose a risk to visitors and cemetery staff.

If necessary some unsafe memorials, which are an imminent risk to the public’s health and safety, may be laid down immediately.

Every effort will be taken to contact the plot owner or family members where a memorial is found to be unsafe.

The cemetery inspections will be carried out in Haslemere at Shottermill Cemetery, St Stephen’s Church, Derby Road Cemetery, Weycombe Road Cemetery and St Bartholomew’s Church.

Waverley needs to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, its sites are maintained in a safe condition.

Although the council has overall responsibility for the safety of the cemetery, including risks from unstable memorials, it does not own the memorials and is not responsible for their maintenance.

In some cases it may not be possible to make contact with the plot owner, in which case any action taken will be in line with the Waverley Borough Council memorial safety policy, which can be viewed online at www.waverley. gov.uk/cemeterysafety

Memorial owners or residents responsible for the upkeep of a memorial can call the council on 01483 523394 or email parks& [email protected] if they have any concerns about the work or are aware of a memorial that is unstable.