Twelve gravestones at the Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria have been damaged in what police are calling a random act of vandalism.

The cemetery is the final resting place to some of British Columbia's most notable historical figures including artist Emily Carr.

"It doesn't look like any particular grave has been targeted, it is just a random act of vandalism," Sgt. Grant Hamilton of Victoria Police says.

Hamilton says the cemetery has been hit on three different occasions over the past few weeks which has left twelve graves damaged and caused $10,000 in damages.

Some 27,000 graves are kept at the cemetery including many of the province's premiers as well as prospector Billy Barker and Sir Matthew Begbie, the First Chief Justice of B.C.

Victoria Police are appealing to anyone who may know anything about the cases to contact them at (250) 995-7645.