COUNCILLORS are to meet tomorrow to look at ways of tightening security in Darlington's cemeteries, following a spate of vandalism.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's environment committee will discuss ways in which security can be stepped up in an effort to stamp out the growing number of attacks on headstones and memorials in the town's three cemeteries.

Council chiefs have already met with police to look at security and safety issues, and despite several initiatives to stem the attacks, the problem continued throughout the summer.

One initiative carried out around North Road Cemetery, which has suffered the most attacks, has been to speak to parents of local youngsters, asking them to take more responsibility for their children by knowing their whereabouts late at night.

Incidents of vandalism increased between May and August, and the council has blamed the rise on the lighter summer evenings.

The biggest problem has been attacks on headstones, with many left cracked after being pushed over.

In May, vandals attacked a memorial bench bought by the Rossington family, inmemory of their two-year-old son, Adam, who recently died from a brain disorder.

The inscribed bench had been kicked and pulled from its concrete base during the attack in West Cemetery.

The council has stepped up late-night patrols by wardens in the cemeteries, in a bid to deter the vandals.

Community volunteers have also been involved in schemes to repair the damage. But despite action from the council, there have been continued calls by the public to close the gates of the cemeteries at night.

A spokesman for the council said that despite renewed attempts to put a stop to the vandalism, the problem still persisted.

He said: "Vandals do not operate nine to five, they can attack at any time, and that is why we have put out late night patrols in a bid to catch them at work.

"We do keep the gates open, but even if we were to close them, people would still get in if they were determined.

"Members will be looking at possible security issues at the meeting, and hopefully we can take further steps towards combating the problem," he said.