Officers were told about the damage to the grave at Kirkdale Cemetery

13:39, 11 Apr 2026Updated 13:39, 11 Apr 2026

James Bulger

James Bulger(Image: ITV)

Merseyside Police have issued an update after James Bulger’s grave was vandalised. James was just two years old when he was abducted and murdered by then-10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in February 1993.

James’s mum, Denise Fergus, said yesterday (Friday, April 10) the grave had been vandalised and the heads of two cherubs had been removed. This afternoon, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said, at around 1.20pm yesterday (Friday, April 10), officers were told about damage to the grave.

At 4.10pm, following enquiries, a 78 year-old man from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and theft. He has been taken to a police station.

Temporary Detective Inspector Viki Lanceley said: “A man has now been arrested and we will continue to update and support James’s family as the investigation progresses.

“I would encourage anyone with information to come forward directly to police as soon as possible, in any of the following ways.”

To get in touch, you can call 101 or DM @MerpolCC on social media, quoting reference number 26000282253. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/g

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