It is the third time in as many weeks that Sharon and Lee Wanless have seen their mum and dad's grave targeted.

But the latest attack has left the £3,000 headstone lying in pieces in Harton Cemetery, South Shields.

Ms Wanless is now unsure whether to get it repaired in case it happens again.

The 46-year-old admin worker at South Tyneside District Hospital, said: "Words can't describe how this makes us feel. Seeing the headstone in pieces is a horrible thing to see.

"It's disgusting what this person did. I feel angry and upset."

The first incident, in early June, saw the photo of her parents - Elizabeth and Edward Wanless - smashed up.

And just weeks later, flowers and ornaments were stolen from the plot.

Mr and Mrs Wanless both died from cancer within seven months of each other, in 1996 and 1995 respectively.

Their deaths devastated Ms Wanless and brothers Shaun, 43, Lee, 38, as well as sister Dawn, 42.

Ms Wanless' South Shields home has also been targeted in the past month. In the latest incident, her car was scratched all the way down the driver's side and the boot was smashed in.

The mum-of-one, from Highfield Road, believes she knows who is doing this and says it's a personal attack.

She added: "I'm not bothered about my car because it's just a car. But to target a grave just shows you what type of person they are.

"I'm convinced I know who it is, but without evidence nothing can be done.

"I don't know whether to have it repaired in case it happens again."
Ms Wanless says there should be more security around the cemetery to stop incidents like this happening.

"There should be more patrols around the cemetery because it's happened three times now," she said.

"Maybe if they had CCTV here the person who did this would be caught."

Neighbourhood Inspector for the area Peter Sutton said police are investigating, adding: "This type of crime shows a lack of respect and is particularly distressing for family and friends of people who have been laid to rest in the cemetery.

"We would urge anyone who knows anything about this incident to come forward."

Councillor Barrie Scorer, lead member for environment and transport, said: "We have every sympathy with this family.

"To damage a grave in this way is a disgrace and is extremely disrespectful and distressing for bereaved loved ones.

"I hope that if anyone knows who is responsible for this mindless act of vandalism, they will report them to the police.

"Fortunately incidents of this nature are extremely rare.

"The council's bereavement services work very closely with the community wardens and Northumbria Police to stamp out all forms of anti-social behaviour in our cemeteries, and they recently stepped up their patrols of the Harton Cemetery grounds."

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact police in South Tyneside on 03456 043 043 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.