A bereaved father was left “disgusted” after a council chief denied cemetery vandalism was an issue in High Wycombe - despite a petition launched to protect the town’s graveyard rallying thousands of signatures.

Darren Chandler handed over the petition - which has accumulated a total of 2,542 signatures in the space of a week - to rounds of applause at a meeting of Wycombe District Council on Monday, October 10.

The petition- which was launched following a series of reports of vandalism at High Wycombe cemetery - is calling for the council to install CCTV to protect graves and prevent alleged anti-social behaviour.

Last month a family revealed their heartbreak after a part of their baby son’s gravestone was torn off and discarded just a few feet away – with police confirming this is not the first time it has happened.

And the grave of Mr Chandler’s 8-year-old daughter was “left bare” after thieves reportedly stole all the decorations around it.

However the cabinet member for community, cllr Julia Adey, said the council’s maintenance team are most likely responsible for removing the decorations and denied reports of vandalism.

Cllr Adey said: “We do appreciate how distressing it is for family and friends when the grave of a loved one is damaged or vandalised.

“Over the years we have fortunately had very few acts of vandalism and while we know of complaints about cemetery maintenance practices we are not aware of any ongoing issue of vandalism within the snowdrop garden.

“We periodically remove items from graves as stated on the signs clearly displayed in the cemetery and this is likely to be the reason some items have been removed from your daughter’s grave…

“Most items are held at the cemetery office for four to six weeks should people wish to collect them.”

The cabinet member also dismissed CCTV due to cost, reminding the council that the surrounding trees would have to be cut down and 24-hour lighting installed if it was to be effective.

She added: “So we will continue to monitor the situation but we know that one incident is not vandalism and the other may not be.”

Despite the comments Mr Chandler hailed the support he has received from other members of the councillors and public.

He said: “I am disgusted. Absolutely disgusted. So many people have come through to show their support and say there has been vandalism at the graves.

“Police have had similar reports that came through. I couldn’t believe it when she said that. Even the lady next to me walked out because she was so shocked.”

While understanding that graves need to be maintained cllr Matt Knight, who represents Micklefield, has called for better communication between the council and people who visit the graveyard.

He said: “We have heard denial about reports of vandalism at the cemetery but I know about a year ago there was several incidents of vandalism of Muslim graves and other families have been affected as well.”

Following the meeting cllr Julia Adey has said the petition will be considered in full but reiterated that installing CCTV will come at a cost – reminding that the cemetery gates are locked every night with regular patrols from police.