Broadwater Cemetery, in South Farm Road, has been badly hit by "mindless" yobs who smashed headstones and crosses by pushing them over, police have said.

They moved one cross near the graveyard's Carnegie Road entrance and left pieces of memorials strewn on the ground.

Police discovered the damage on routine patrols but, as yet, no relatives have come forward to complain.

Ian Rudkin, registrar for the cemetery, said: "I honestly don't know what the council can do to stop vandalism.

"At the end of the day, do they spend £200,000 to stop vandals getting in or spend that money getting them off the street?"

More than 12 months ago, persistent vandalism and graffiti forced Worthing Council to employ security guards to patrol the cemetery and lock it at night.

Mr Rudkin added: "The people that do this are just low-life. I just hope that one day if they suffer a bereavement that someone doesn't target their graves because they would be the first to complain."

Sergeant Ian Kerr of Worthing police slammed those responsible for the damage.

He said: "This is alarming at this time of year when people are going to visit loved ones at Christmas.

"It is a despicable thing to do and particularly upsetting for families."

As the Herald reported earlier this month, police have stepped up patrols at the cemetery after they received reports of strangers lurking among the headstones.

Officers were called after children walking home from school said they saw a "half-naked" man darting between the graves.

When police arrived they found a pile of clothes but the man had gone.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should call PC Alban Clark at Worthing on 0845 60 70 999.