WARDENS have been introduced in a bid to step up security at Hyndburn's cemeteries following a recent spate of vandalism.

The move has been welcomed by councillors who heard that more than 130 headstones have been damaged or pushed over in 10 separate incidents over the last two months.

The problem of cemetery vandalism was highlighted in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last month when hundreds of gravestones and memorial crosses were smashed at Roe Lee Cemetery, Blackburn.

Hyndburn's head of environmental health Steve Todd said the cost of repairs to Accrington and Church Cemeteries was estimated at £5,000.

Officers decided to contract the warden work out to a private security firm for a trial period which is set to end in August, at a cost of £3,000. The scheme also covers Great Harwood Cemetery.

Mr Todd told a meeting of the environmental services committee: "The wardens were in place before spring bank holiday and, touch wood, we haven't had any further incidents since then. "The system seems to be working well and we'll be maintaining it after the trial period has finished."

Committee chairman Coun Sandra Hayes said: "It's terrible what the vandals have done. When families visit lost ones they see the gravestones smashed up."

Former chair of environmental services Coun Len Dickinson added: "I can't think of a punishment enough for the grief these people cause."

Town hall chiefs were also asked to look into ways of securing money to set up CCTV cameras in the cemeteries.

Inspector Bob Ford of Great Harwood Police said: "Any measures which could reduce these despicable offences are a good idea.

"Cemeteries tend to be quite lonely places where people with evil intentions can work undisturbed.

"Often when we deal with these incidents people under 18 are involved and parents should make sure they know where their youngsters are."

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