Thieves have been targeting Havering graves ‘for years’
Sick thieves have been stealing flowers from graves at a Havering crematorium for years, a couple have claimed.
Rosemary Relf, from Thurloe Gardens, Romford, has been repeatedly reduced to tears after finding fresh and artificial flowers lifted from her father’s grave, at the South Essex Crematorium, in Ockendon Road, Upminster.
“It’s very distressing,” said Rosemary. “I’ve cried four or five times. I don’t understand why someone would do it.”
Rosemary’s dad Harry Smith died three years ago and she says the thefts began a year later, estimating the grave has been targeted about twenty times.
“I visit my dad about once a week,” she said, “and I’ll always leave flowers - some fresh and some artificial. The staff say they sometimes clear away the rotten flowers but we’re here so often to tend the grave that we wouldn’t let that happen, and the artificial ones don’t die.”
You may also want to watch:
Rosemary and husband Brian are urging the crematorium to take action.
Bus driver Brian said: “I’ve spoken to other families and I know it’s happening to them too,
Most Read
- 1 Shoppers and traders enjoy Romford market and high street in the sunshine
- 2 Man and woman assaulted at Upminster Station
- 3 Harold Wood residents delighted as deer graze outside their windows
- 4 'I'm appalled at no-show bookings as pubs reopen'
- 5 Romford swimmer calls for volunteers to take plunge for hospice
- 6 Covid hospital admissions and deaths in stark decline, NHS trust data shows
- 7 Upminster student completes 4x4x48 Challenge for Saint Francis Hospice
- 8 Mayoral election 2021: how will candidates improve east London?
- 9 Council cannot 'justify' stronger bollards after fifth crash in 18 months
- 10 Men sent to prison over death of schoolboy Harvey Tyrrell
It’s disgraceful. I think if these people get caught they should be sentenced for a long time - what they’re doing is disrespectful to the community and to people’s grief.
The couple say they have reported the thefts to crematorium staff.
Cabinet Member with responsibility for cemeteries and crematoriums, Cllr Lesley Kelly, said: “Unfortunately we are well aware that someone is taking flowers, ornaments and other decorations from the crematorium. This is disgraceful behaviour and very upsetting to families and friends when tributes are taken. We are monitoring the situation closely and working with the police to catch those involved. I would urge residents to let crematorium staff know if they think they have experienced a similar theft.”