People have been sleeping rough and abusing drugs in cemeteries in Southall, according to a local councillor.

Norwood Green Cllr Ranjinder Mann said he was given a report by his ward sergeant stating there were ongoing problems in Havelock Road cemetery with vagrants and drug abuse.

Mr Mann said: "I inspected the site about a month ago in the morning and saw that a few graves have been damaged. I did not see any signs of drug abuse but have heard from my constituents that they have seen drug paraphernalia at the site such as used needles."

Mr Mann said he has met with local police over the issue and raised the matter at an Ealing Council cabinet meeting last week in the hopes of urging the authority to take action.

"Homelessness is an issue which affects the entire borough but this is a very big thing. People are sleeping rough and taking drugs and what we need now is improved security.

"We have to find some way to help people who suffer from problems like drugs, alcohol and being homeless. We are not looking to divide the community but to bring people together."

A council spokeswoman said: "Community safety officers, local police and the borough CCTV manager visited the site last week to look at ways of improving security and discouraging anti-social behaviour.

"The drug outreach services in the borough visit the cemeteries several times every week and a temporary CCTV camera has now been installed at Hortus cemetery in Merrick Road. Work is now underway to look at the possibility of installing permanent cameras at the site next year.

"Officers are also looking at a range of other measures such as locking some of the gates earlier in the evening and installing anti-climb paint to prevent vandals climbing into the cemetery when it's locked. Any changes will of course be taken forward in consultation with the diocese and community groups."