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.