"Thoughtless" vandals have repeatedly targeted a church graveyard, smashing headstones and intimidating visitors, as well as leaving human faeces.
CCTV has now been installed at The Our Lady of Compassion in Formby, Merseyside, and police are reported to be making regular checks at the site.
The graveyard is said to have become a meeting place for people to smoke illegal drugs, according to staff.
In a Facebook post, the church, on School Lane, warned high definition cameras will now be able to catch any culprits red-handed, describing the behaviour as "despicable", reports the Liverpool Echo.
It said: "We are deeply saddened to share with you that last weekend and early this week there were two incidents of vandalism in the garden of rest & Our Lady's graveyard.
Coping stones were removed and smashed and some items placed by parishioners in loving memory of their deceased loved ones have been wilfully destroyed. They also chose to defecate!"
The post went on to say: "Parishioners affected are deeply distressed as we are sure the majority of people reading this will also be very saddened and disgusted to hear.
"Our graveyard should be a place where people can come and sit in peace, pray, and remember their loved ones.
"The police have been notified and will be routinely checking our grounds.
"We are also aware individuals are using the area to smoke illegal drugs and we ask them to kindly refrain from using our sacred space.
"Their presence is intimidating to some of our parishioners.
"High definition CCTV has been installed to monitor EVERY part of the church grounds now. Whoever is capable of such thoughtless and despicable behaviour is clearly lacking something in their lives (we are certainly blessed to know the love of God in ours).
"We shall therefore pray for the culprit(s) and hope that their lives are turned around."
In response to the post, several local people responded with shock.
Angela Jackson said: "I went to my family grave yesterday and there are items missing - there were pieces of one item nearby!"
Josie Benton said: "Heartbreaking such wonton destruction making those who are already suffering loss suffer again. Hope the culprits are caught."
Colin Smith said he has lived in the town since the mid 1960s and said the area is "changing, sadly".
"These disgusting individuals who have no respect for anything or anyone should be ashamed of themselves but sadly they just don't care," he added.
A spokesperson for the church said: “We are saddened that there has been anti-social behaviour and vandalism to the graveyard at Our Lady of Compassion Church in Formby.
"We have informed the Police of the incidents.”
