Family of murdered toddler James Bulger recover items from vandalised grave

The family of James Bulger have recovered items stolen from his grave following vandalism incidents earlier this year.

Two cherub statues next to Bulger's grave in Kirkdale Cemetery were damaged twice within six weeks, once in February and again in April 2026.

A 78-year-old man from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage in connection with the incidents.

Following a tip-off, the family found the two vandalised cherub heads, the original sleeping cherub statue, and several other items taken from the grave.

Police have also seized items from other graves and intend to return them to the affected families.

Denise Fergus, James Bulger's mother, expressed her heartbreak upon learning of the vandalism to her son's resting place.

James Bulger was abducted from a Bootle shopping centre in 1993 and killed by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 at the time.

The crime shocked the United Kingdom and remains a sensitive subject.

A fundraiser to repair the headstone raised more than A323,000.

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