The vicar of a church that suffered a shocking act of vandalism has praised the local community and councillors for their support.

The Reverend Dr Julie Gittoes welcomed Barnet Council’s pledge to install CCTV cameras and spoke of the “care and love” shown by residents following the damage to gravestones at St Mary’s Church in Hendon.

Vandals damaged a number of graves in the churchyard last month, with photos showing some headstones had been knocked over and broken apart.

Following the incident, Barnet Council pledged to increase CCTV coverage to help prevent further acts of vandalism.

Dr Gittoes said: “I have really appreciated the support of a number of councillors – and agreeing to install CCTV is a tangible form of support.

“The scale and nature of the damage is shocking, and a lot of people in the community felt a real emotional response.

“The churchyard is at the very heart of a conservation area in Hendon. There are a lot of people who value it as a heritage site and were going there for a walk during lockdown, using it as a space for reflection and recreation.

“I want to focus on the strength of positive community support. People from the age of eight – teenagers, parents, all the way up to people in their eighties have been taking flowers and putting them on the graves.

“To me, that is the best response – showing respect, and care and love.

“Although what happened was shocking and sad, the way the people and councillors and other leaders have worked together to offer a supportive response – that is what we can build on.”

Roberto Weeden-Sanz, chair of Barnet Council’s safer communities partnership board, said: “Along with many others in the community, I was outraged to see the damage done to graves at St Mary’s.

“The council has been working closely with Rev Dr Julie Gittoes to protect this historic churchyard from further desecration, and I am delighted the council can help by installing CCTV. We will protect our cemeteries from such hatred.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the shocking incident of vandalism which took place at St Mary’s Church, Hendon. We are working closely with the police to, as far as possible, prevent and deter any similar future incidents. This will include an increase in our CCTV coverage in the vicinity of the location.”