The landslide destroyed the village school

They want CCTV monitoring at the memorial, where vandals have ripped stones from walls and damaged flowers.

South Wales Police are also increasing patrols in the village in a bid to discourage youngsters late-night drinking in the garden.

The divisional commander is sending a personal letter to every househould appealing for people to give the garden the respect it deserves.

Community devastated

Cliff Minnett lost two children in the disaster and said: "Every time I come here, I remember the day - it doesn't go away."

He appealed to the vandals: "Go somewhere else to play. If you want to do wilful damage, go anywhere else, but don't do it here."

Cliff Minnett appealed to the vandals

The Aberfan community, near Merthyr Tydfil, was devastated by the freak incident on a sunny Friday morning in 1966.

At 0915hrs, a waste tip slid down the mountainside toward the village destroying a farm in its path and killing the occupants.

Children at Pantglas Junior School had just returned from singing hymns at their morning assembly.

But the slide engulfed the building, killing 116 children and five of their teachers.

The slurry also engulfed 20 houses before coming to a halt.