THE grave of murdered teenager Ben Hitchcock from Penge was vandalised at the weekend.

The cross was ripped from the ground, a guardian angel thrown from the grave, flower pots and lights smashed, flowers and photos torn down and scattered.

The attack occurred between 5.30pm on March 7 and 10.30am on March 9 at Beckenham Crematorium and Cemetery, Elmers End Road, Beckenham.

Ben's mother Lee worked in the wind and rain yesterday putting her son's grave back together.

Ms Hitchcock said: "I was hysterical.

"It's almost as if they are saying killing him wasn't enough - we are going to do this to him.

"If they were looking for a reaction they got one.

"All it has done is pull the community even closer together.

"We will put it all back."

She added: "We are just appalled and disgusted at what has happened.

"If they can resort to this and think that is how they are going to get to us, they are mistaken.

"There has been no retaliation from Ben's friends out of respect for me and for Ben's brothers.

"And there won't be any after this."

Police are investigating possible links to graffiti that appeared around the same time at the Royal Oak pub in Oakfield Road, Penge - next door to the Streetwise youth club, which Ben used to visit regularly with his friends.

Ms Hitchcock said: "The graffiti is in an area where all of Ben's friends and his brothers will pass by on a regular basis.

"We are thinking they may be linked because they must have happened around the same time."

Head of Bromley Police's CID, Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Davidson said: "This is a despicable and insensitive attack of vandalism which will have caused severe distress to Ben's family.

"This is a place for grieving relatives to go and remember their loved ones.

"For someone to desecrate it in this way is a thoughtless and callous act."

Ben was 16-years-old when he was stabbed in a fight involving about 40 people in Southend Road, Beckenham, at 11.36pm on June 23.

To date, 29 people have been arrested in connection with his murder, but no one has been charged.

Anyone with information should call Bromley Police on 01689 891212 or the murder incident room on 020 8721 4961 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.