Grieving parents have been left heartbroken due to thieves continually stealing toys from their stillborn twins’ grave in Wolverhampton.
Susan Bond, from Wednesfield, said her daughter Siobhan Gibson is having to remove treasured keepsakes from the cemetery at Bushbury Crematorium because crooks are taking one tribute but leaving the other. The 42-year-old, of Waddenbrook Lane, told today how twins Annie and Ashley’s graves have been targeted twice in three months.
She said: “They took one of the toys, which means we have to replace both.
“We can’t leave a toy for one of the twins and not the other. My daughter’s partner has said he would be willing to contribute to some CCTV or other security.
“It is happening too much, and it is very distressing for people who have lost children.”
The babies’ mother Mrs Gibson, aged 23, makes a trip from her home in Market Drayton, Shropshire, to visit the graves almost every day despite being pregnant.
The children were stillborn in August 2006.
The cemetery is regularly targeted by thieves who are making off with memorials left at graves, prompting devastated relatives to appeal to council chiefs to improve security.
Recently, Louize Jackson, 19, of Oxley, discovered toys, flowers and Disney novelty lights missing from their stillborn daughter Shannon’s resting place at Bushbury Crematorium.
And Wednesfield woman Janet Blackwell found her granddaughter Scarlett Holmes’ grave had been hit three times in a week.
Miss Blackwell, of Victoria Road, Wednesfield, said: “On her birthday, we wanted to put candles and windchimes on the memorial but they keep going missing. It’s been endless for 12 months.”
Wolverhampton City Council spokeswoman Felicity Roberts said: “Targeting people who are already distressed by bereavement is a despicable crime, and we are asking staff to be extra vigilant.”
Anyone with information about the thefts should call police on 0845 113 5000.
4 Comments
come on wolverhampton council, no messing about, what are you going to do about these appalling acts, what are we paying rates for.
this is totally discusting why cant these sick thieves leave these poor babys to rest in peace what is this world comming to where thieves even take things from babies graves how sick love to there familys from natalie xx
It’s really upsetting to hear about this.
I know what these families are going through. My darling son died 15 years ago to stillbirth and is layed to rest near his welsh grandparents in a little grave yard in wales which you can only get to by car.
his grave was a target this summer
where the flower rose on top was all smashed in. I was so mad and it just brought more heartache to think someone could do this. What kind of world are we living in we are targets in life and now in death.
How sick can anyone be stealing off babies graves, they couldn’t get much lower than that. They are just scum.