VANDALS have desecrated the graves of fallen war heroes in Dartford by smearing them with graffiti.

Police have launched an investigation after the three military graves were vandalised in East Hill Cemetery. Officers were called there after reports that a gang of youths had climbed a fence into the site.

Firefighters were first on the scene to put out a small fire lit by the youths who had run off. It was then noticed three headstones marking the graves of former serving soldiers from the time of the First World War had been marked with graffiti tags.

Police are now looking to track down the vandals who wrote tags such as Drapes and Fomie on the gravestones as well as some offensive language.

Investigating officer PC Stephen Dingwall said: “This is a despicable crime and we are obviously very keen to find the offenders as soon as possible. These vandals will often use their tags wherever they go so people who know them may well have seen their tags on school books or properties close to their homes."

Dartford council, who own the cemetery, stepped up security following the discovery and ensured the graves were cleaned up.

Anyone with information on grafitti or vandalism in the Dartford area is asked to telephone 01322 283107 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.