Vandals have destroyed dozens of glass panels bearing the names of cancer victims in a memorial woodland, police said.

A forest ranger found the shattered remains of the panels in the Wilheminabos in Dronten, Flevoland, on Monday. Police described the attack as “wanton vandalism”.

The woodland was donated to the cancer research and support charity KWF in 1999 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The 67 upright panels stood in a clearing among the 25,000 trees planted in memory of people who have died from cancer.

“The names of loved ones have been brutally smashed to pieces,” said spokeswoman Annebel Schipper.

“Who would do something like this? It’s unbelievable that a memorial place that gives relatives and fellow sufferers so much support has been destroyed in this way.”

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 0900-8844 or anonymously via Meld Misdaad Anoniem.

Anyone needing support or information from KWF can contact them on weekdays on 020 570 0570.