HUNDREDS of gravestones have been torn down and memorial crosses smashed in a systematic act of vandalism at an East Lancashire cemetery.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after the headstones were ripped up and shattered throughout Roe Lee Cemetery, between Brownhill Drive and Whalley New Road.

The Blackburn with Darwen council-run cemetery, in which more than 200,000 local people are buried, appears to have been vandalised over several months.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Alan Chesters, today said he was saddened to hear of the destruction, which could probably never be put right as records of the dead may have been lost.

He said: "It's desperately sad that people behave in this way and we ought to have a greater respect for those who have gone before us.

"It's very difficult to police such a large area and I sympathise with the council. I don't think they will be able to do much more than tidy it up."

Security guard Alan Cronshaw, of Brownhill Road, Blackburn, said he had noticed the gates had often been left unlocked after dark during the last six months.

He said: "They always used to be locked after about 8pm but recently, when I've come home late after work, I've noticed they've still been open.

"Last week, I read about the Blackburn giant Dough Kempster's grave in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and went to see it. I was appalled when I saw the state of the other graves nearby. I couldn't believe people would go to those extremes.

"Someone has actually taken the lid off one of the table graves and smashed the concrete surround and the headstones have been ripped off their bases and pushed over.

"My wife's brother, who was killed in a road accident, and my grandparents are buried there. When I told my wife about it, she was very worried. It's difficult to patrol the area but I think the council should start locking the gates again."

Inspector Bob Ford said: "Damage to churchyards and graveyards are particularly distasteful and unacceptable offences.

"They are also quite difficult to investigate as graveyards tend not to be overlooked by houses and so reports of people in graveyards are quite rare.

"We would take firm action if we received any information about who is responsible. We rely on public support."

Inspector Ford said he was also concerned that vandals could be seriously injured if crushed by falling gravestones.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "We are aware of sporadic vandalism there and we do liaise with police when we get reports of it. There is open access to the cemetery, but there is a combination of vandalism and general wear and tear to headstones.

"We would encourage people to report instances of vandalism when the them."

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