People living near a Cambridgeshire cemetery have begun carrying out patrols to deter criminals.

Residents of the Eastfield Road area in Peterborough say vandalism at the cemetery is rife and mourners have been attacked.

One 84-year-old woman is reported to have ended up in hospital after being mugged at the graveyard.

Peterborough City Council has promised to look at the problem "straight away".

Vandalism is said to be rife

In August, a woman who had been mugged while visiting her husband's grave collected over 3,000 signatures for a petition demanding council action.

She and her supporters are demanding security measures such as locking the gates at night, installing CCTV cameras, or employing a council ranger to tackle the problem.

Their complaints have been met with sympathy.

Peterborough MP Helen Clark, who met protestors at the cemetery, said: "I don't see why these people who have got loved ones actually in the cemetery should not actually be able to pay their respects and have a few quiet moments of contemplation."

And Sheila Grant, from Peterborough City Council, said: "We are looking at it straight away.

"I'm hopeful that I've got news to give to the residents in the next couple of days."