A PUBLIC meeting will be held in July to discuss disrespectful behaviour at Yeadon Cemetery.

Leeds North West MP Alex Sobel will host the meeting following criticism of the antics of plane spotters who were accused of turning the cemetery into ‘a mini-festival’ in May.

Grieving relatives were distressed by the behaviour of crowds of visitors who descended on the graveyard to get a good view of a Royal Canadian Air Force C-17 flying into Leeds Bradford Airport.

One mother, mourning the loss of her young son, described a shocking scene with visitors urinating on headstones, while children rode bikes and played football on graves.

The incident, which was the latest in a long line of problems at the cemetery, led to action from Mr Sobel and from the area’s three ward councillors, who all met with representatives of Leeds City Council’s bereavement service to find ways of preventing further problems.

Now Mr Sobel is encouraging residents to attend the public meeting from 4pm to 5pm on Friday, July 13, at Yeadon Methodist Church.

Mr Sobel said: “Many residents contacted me regarding the inappropriate use of the cemetery by plane spotters last month. Since then, I have met with council officers to discuss potential actions as well as obtained the agreement of the airport that they will contact the council when aeroplanes likely to cause interest are due to arrive. I have also contacted the council about looking to alternative viewing sites to encourage plane spotters away from the cemetery area.

“I believe that the best solutions to community problems is when leadership comes from the community. That’s why I think it is important that residents, elected officials and council officers all come together to find a collective way forward and take ownership of the cemetery as a space for grieving and quiet reflection.”