What Gwent Police found at Christchurch Cemetery in Newport

On Monday, officers confirmed that the investigation at Christchurch Cemetery had been completed, and that no criminal investigation was required.

The police were initially called to the site on April 27, following a report of “unauthorised use of the grounds.”

After a week of police investigations, officers found an “object” in an undeveloped area of land adjacent to the cemetery, and a “sensitive excavation of the area” was then launched on Wednesday, May 4 to identify the object.

Map of Christchurch Cemetery and surrounding area in Newport, with the police cordoned-off area marked in red. Original picture: Google

The force worked alongside the Ministry of Justice and Newport City Council - which owns the cemetery - while the investigation was carried out.

With the investigation now completed, Gwent Police has confirmed what the ‘object’ was that sparked the excavation.

A Gwent Police spokesperson said: “We found a mixture of items below the ground – compacted soil, rubble, boulders and rocks.”

Officers were called to investigate as a precaution after initial scans from above ground showed what appeared to be an ‘object’ beneath the ground, the police spokesperson said.

“At that point we could not rule out it could have been something criminal,” said the spokesperson.

“When we were called we had to consider what the worst-case scenario could be.

“Fortunately there was nothing untoward that required a criminal investigation.”