"More than 100" gravestones have been desecrated in an "appalling" act of vandalism in North Sheen Cemetery.

Stones were smashed and pushed over between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

One witness said there were more than "100 headstones pushed over or broken".

A spokesman for Hammersmith and Fulham Council, which runs the cemetery, said: "On Saturday night in North Sheen Cemetery there was an act of vandalism where a number of memorials were pushed over and in doing so a small number were cracked/damaged.

"The police are currently investigating the incident and have had a scenes of crime officer at site taking finger prints from the memorials affected.

"Hammersmith & Fulham Council has arranged for a memorial mason to attend site this week with a view to re-setting those memorials pushed over and repair those that were damaged.

"Cemetery staff are currently recording the number of those memorials that are affected and will be writing to the grave owners advising them of the vandalism and that steps are being taken to remedy the vandalism.

H&F Council Leader Stephen Cowan added: “This was an appalling act and our hearts go out to the families affected. We will do everything we can to catch the mindless vandals and we appeal for any information that might help the police.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers were called to North Sheen Cemetery by a member of the public at approximately 9.50am on Sunday to reports of criminal damage.

He said: "Officers attended and found a large number of gravestones damaged.

"Forensics officers and Richmond CID both attended.

"At this early stage, there appears to be no clear motive, and no arrests have been made.

"Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Kew Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0208 247 8320 or email Kew.SNT@met.police.uk.

"Alternatively, they can anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”