A DEVASTATED Worcester mum said she has been left sickened after several figurines were stolen from her young son’s grave by heartless thieves.
Maxine Sherwood, of Warndon Villages, discovered three of the knights she had placed on nine-year-old William’s grave had been taken when she visited to lay flowers on what would have been his birthday.
She reported it to Astwood Cemetery who said they would keep an eye out for the culprits, but nothing was ever found and the matter was then reported to the police.
Tragically, on the anniversary of William’s death, Maxine returned to the cemetery to find more figurines had been taken.
“It’s really sick. Anyone who can steal from a child’s grave is the lowest of the low,” she told The Observer.
“I have not put any more knights on his grave as I’m too scared now. Whoever it is, is just helping themselves to what is there.
“William loved knights and anything like that. They are for William and not anyone else.”
Shockingly, Maxine is not the only Worcester parent suffering as police have warned of a spate of thefts between July and September from graves in the cemetery close to Worcester Crematorium.
“I hope that it is children because if it was an adult it is even more disgusting,” she said.
“If it is a child with an adult you would think they would tell them to put them back. I just hope they get caught and named and shamed.
“You can clearly see they are children’s graves so if it is an adult then they are the scum of the earth.
“I don’t think I will ever get the figures back but I just want the people responsible caught.”
Several different items have taken including large Disney characters, Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy, which are about 18ins tall as well as angels and knights.
Sgt Sara Goodman, of West Mercia Police’s Crime Bureau, said: “We are unsure at the moment if this is a spate of spontaneous thefts or whether the incidents are linked but we are currently working with the victims to try to locate the items and identify any offenders.
“This is a particularly upsetting crime given the sensitive and sentimental nature of the items stolen.
“I would also urge anyone else who has been a victim of a similar theft to please report it to us as soon as possible or if you see anyone acting suspiciously around the graveyard.”
Anyone with information can contact them on the non emergency 101 number or anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or via their website.
