Vandals are repeatedly targeting a grave as a twisted means of revenge, a distressed mother has claimed.

Emily Ryan, who lives in Langham Court, Raynes Park, is calling on Merton Council to introduce security cameras in Morden Cemetery after repeated attacks on her son’s gravestone, which she said began in August 2011 after an altercation.

Mrs Ryan said: “Sometimes I will find the flower heads have been chopped off or the vases have been smashed every other week.

"I’ve even found dirt deliberately smeared all over the gravestone itself.

“It’s just appalling. It’s painful enough for a mother to lose her son, but this is beyond cruelty.

“I am suspicious of who has done this and I’ve told the police, but they can’t do anything without hard proof, so I want cameras in there to stop this happening.”

Sandra Coleman, who lives in Phipps Bridge, Mitcham, said four of her relatives were buried in Morden cemetery and she was very unhappy with the upkeep of the grounds.

Mrs Coleman, 67, said: “I’m not surprised there are vandals because the overall maintenance of the place is poor.

“If you go to other cemeteries, such as in Plough Lane [Wimbledon], it’s absolutely pristine, but in Morden you’re lucky if they cut the grass every week.

“It’s gotten so bad I cut the lawn round the graves myself. I know it’s not my job, but these are members of my family and this is about respect.”

Merton Council would not comment on whether Mrs Ryan would be allowed to install CCTV cameras herself, but said the cemetery’s gates were locked every night and had six staff based there for the last three years.

Councillor Andrew Judge, cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, said: “We take such complaints very seriously.

“Our staff who work in the cemeteries remain vigilant and ensure they are helpful to the public.

“Thankfully, vandalism in cemeteries is extremely rare in Merton, but if ever it does occur we would always notify the police.”

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