COUNCIL staff have vowed to help police find and prosecute vandals who have launched a second attack on a local cemetery in a week.

The second attack on the Stonefall cemetery, in Harrogate, has angered and upset families, councillors and parks staff.

The vandals broke the wing off an angel memorial and broke a large cross in two.

Patrick Kilburn, the head of parks and open spaces said: "We just will not countenance this type of vandalism."

He said that several years ago, a child was killed when a memorial fell on him in a local cemetery, and warned that vandals could suffer the same fate.

He said: "Those who are carrying out these attacks could seriously injure themselves or even worse.

"These memorials are extremely heavy and falling masonry can kill or seriously maim those who are smashing them in a despicable act of vandalism."

Sergeant Mark Gee said: "We talk about vandalism, but this is actually criminal damage of the worst possible kind, and we simply will not tolerate it. Those responsible can expect to receive severe penalties through the courts."