GREENWICH Council is on the hunt for a vandal who has targeted Woolwich Cemetery this Christmas.

The culprit left a distinctive WMW tag next to graffiti on the walls of the cemetery on Camdale Road, and is responsible for persistent damage to the site which threatens its future, according to the council.

It is now asking News Shopper readers who might recognise the sign to give them a call on its graffiti hotline.

Cabinet member for public services Councillor Peter Challis said: "Defacing any public building or monument is bad enough but to deface a cemetery is an absolute outrage.

"Our staff work hard to make sure people can honour the memory of their cherished ones. It is very distressing for them, and we're keen to make sure this vandalism is stopped immediately.

"How anyone could do such a thing is beyond belief."

The council's anti-graffiti team says there is a steady rise in the work it has to carry out, which is partly a result of a greater awareness among the public, who are reporting more instances of graffiti and other acts of vandalism.

The news follows a move by Conservative councillor Alec Miles to get schoolchildren involved in tackling graffiti and to make them aware of the perils of vandalism.

Cllr Miles said: "We need the support of our local schools in tackling this increasing problem. Graffiti is a criminal offence and pupils should realise that if they do it, they will be punished."

Children at Deansfield Primary School in Eltham have been clearing graffiti off Rochester Road footbridge as part of the initiative.

Anyone who wants to help with this case, or report other incidents of graffiti, should call 020 8921 6881.

December 20, 2001 18:30