Police in Hillingdon are appealing for information after a number of commemorative headstones were criminally damaged in St Mary's Church in Harefield .
According to Met Police , the vandalism is believed to have occurred between 9pm on Saturday, November 21 and 7.40am on Sunday, November 22.
Cllr Jane Palmer visited the graves and tweeted a photo of the damage she found on Sunday (November 22) after they were covered in blue spray paint overnight.
She said: “I went down to look and give some support to the Church and the village and having seen it myself, it moved me to tears. It was devastating.
A Met Police spokesman said: “A number of enquiries are being made which includes looking through CCTV and exploring any forensic opportunities.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission spent the day cleaning up the headstones in Harefield and the graffiti has been removed.
“At this time no arrests have been made.”
Inspector Rob Bryan, from Hillingdon Borough said: "It was only two weeks ago that we fell silent to remember those who died for their country so for anyone to commit this mindless act of vandalism is despicable.
“We believe that the person who criminally damaged these headstones lives locally and whoever did this may have bragged about what they did.
“We need parents, schools and residents to come forward if they know anything about who committed this crime.
“Someone they know may have come home with blue paint on their hands or clothes and we would urge them to come forward and assist us with our enquiries.”
Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact Inspector Bryan directly on 020 8246 1816, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.
