VANDALS toppled and damaged 13 headstones in an attack on Cwmbran Cemetery.

The attack is the latest in a spate of incidents of desecration at the cemetery, on Llantarnam Road, over recent months.

Other attacks include windows at the chapel being smashed, children's toys being stolen, plot and grave indicators being snapped, and obscene graffiti on headstones and walls.

Cemetery managers were shocked when they examined the plots on Monday and saw that a number of headstones had been pushed over sometime over the weekend. One headstone dating from the 1910s was broken in half and damaged beyond repair.

Tony Crewe, senior officer for cemeteries at Torfaen council, said: "When I came here yesterday and saw what had happened my blood was boiling. It defies belief. Most can just be lifted back into place, but one very old headstone is irreparable."

Mr Crewe added that only last week six headstones and a number of walls were defaced with swear words and obscene pictures drawn in chalk. "It was bad enough to see such disgusting words and images on the graves, but I can't begin to even imagine what makes someone do something like this," he said.

Torfaen councillor John Marshall, executive member for the environment, said: "This is another disgusting attack on a cemetery. It really angers me when vandals do such appalling things in what is supposed to be a place of rest."

Police have now stepped up patrols in the area during the hours of darkness. They blame the attacks on gangs of youths who are gathering at the cemetery at night drinking and smoking.

PC Dave Williams, of Cwmbran police, said: "The youths are hanging around there because it's dark and quiet and they think they won't be seen. The distress this sort of attack causes to the families is unimaginable."

Police are now looking to trace the owners of the memorials that have been damaged, and they are appealing for any witnesses. Call Cwmbran police on 01633 838999.