PLANNING chiefs could take enforcement action against a Jewish cemetery after it put up razor wire fencing to keep out vandals.

The Urmston cemetery put in place the security measure after hoodlums left a trail of destruction at the cemetery, who told SUM of his disgust at their actions.

But it failed to apply for planning permission to erect the razor wire on top of its boundary fence, next to a railway line and Lorne Grove.

There has been no response to requests from the council for either the razor wire fencing to be removed or planning permission applied for.

The razor wire increases the height of the boundary fence to between 2.4 to three metres, exceeding the permitted development rights.

Cllr David Merrell told the planning development control committee he was surprised there had been no response to the council's requests from those responsible for the Albert Avenue cemetery.

And Cllr Justine Williams said: "It is illegal what they are doing and it could look better. But I do understand why they want to keep the thugs out."

Cllr Vivienne Ward added: "It is a pity the Jewish community did not come to speak to the planning officers because between us we could have come up with a better solution."

Cllr Bill Clarke, chairman of the committee, described the razor wire as "extremely unsightly".

Last summer SUM reported that thugs smashed 13 headstones at the resting place - causing thousands of pounds worth of damage as well as heartache for relatives.

At the time, caretaker Paul Fernandez said new fencing was being considered - but he found it difficult to understand why any cemetery should have to take such measures.

The cemetery will be given three months to remove the wire, to give it a chance to consider alternatives.