Police have arrested a 19-year-old in relation to damage caused at Hautapu Cemetery this week.

The Waipā cemetery was damaged with deep skid marks and a grave was also driven over.

A grass area, berms and a grave were deliberately driven on and torn up at the Hautapu Cemetery near Cambridge on Monday night – causing about $3000 worth of harm.

A Cambridge local has been charged with intentional damage in relation to that incident.

He has also been charged with sustained loss of traction in relation to a subsequent incident on a public road, says Sergeant Ben Joll.

'The man's car has also been impounded.

'Our officers in Cambridge recognise how upsetting the damage to the cemetery was for our local community.

'They worked really hard to quickly identify and hold accountable the person responsible, and would like to thank those members of the public who provided information which assisted.”

The alleged offender will appear in Hamilton District Court on Friday, August 5.

-Additional reporting by Stuff.co.nz