A MEMORIAL to Claire Tiltman, the Dartford teenager murdered in 1993, has been vandalised.

The plaque, dedicated to the 16-year-old girl who was stabbed to death in an alleyway, was wrenched from its stone base in London Road, Greenhithe, near Dartford.

The attack has sickened Claire's father Cliff who has now taken possession of the still-intact plaque.

Mr Tiltman said: "Thankfully the plaque itself is still ok but the mounting will need to be repaired. It is all very upsetting."

Police are now carrying out an investigation and calling on any potential witnesses to contact them. The passer-by who found the memorial reported seeing a group of men standing around it and appeared to be kicking it. Once they had left he recovered the plaque.

Claire's killer has never been found but her parents Cliff and Lin have not given up hope of a breakthrough in the unsolved case which police have vowed not to close and is regularly reviewed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Kent Police on 01322 280055 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 .