WORCESTER Crematorium is stepping up security after a series of attacks by young vandals.

Bosses at the Astwood Road crematorium have complained about a number of "schoolboy pranks" which have got out of hand.

In the latest incident, which took place last week, a towel dispenser in a toilet was set on fire, and there also has been an occasion when water was thrown around the premises.

"We have been victim to a couple of schoolboy pranks recently, but the last one went a bit too far and we informed the police, although the fire burned itself out and there was no real danger," said Ian Yates, parks and cemeteries manager at Worcester City Council.

"Unfortunately, like any other open access premises, we are vulnerable to this kind of attack, so we have stepped up security in and around the building.

"It is a shame these things happen in society, but it is something we have to expect.

"We have a number of staff at the crematorium and we assure people we will be keeping a look out for incidents."

Mr Yates is linking the attacks to children from a local school, although he would not be drawn on which one, and says the youngsters are causing the vandalism when they should be at school.

The building has not had a huge problem with vandalism in the past, although the neighbouring cemetery has been targeted.

Individual graves have been desecrated and memorials, including gravestones, have been stolen, leaving families devastated.

Worcester City Council has also been forced to put up concrete posts throughout the cemetery to stop visitors driving over sacred burial ground.

But the council hopes the latest phase of attacks at the crematorium will soon end.

"They are kids, and I am sure they will eventually get back to school and do something better with their time," said Mr Yates.

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