Heartless criminals have stolen gifts from a child’s grave on Christmas day and set them on fire nearby. The senseless act of disrespect happened at the Children’s Garden at Oxbridge Cemetery in Stockton on December 25.
According to the Cleveland Police, balloons, soft toys, and gifts that were left on the child’s grave by the grieving mum were later found on a fire in the cemetery.
According to a police statement, the woman placed the items on the grave in the Children’s Garden at Oxbridge Cemetery in Stockton the day before, but when she visited again she discovered her child’s grave and others had been targeted.
“Inquiries are on-going and we would appeal for any nearby residents who have CCTV to check their systems in case they’ve captured anything which could help police,” the statement read, according to Teeside Live.
Anyone with information or footage is being asked to contact Cleveland Police via the 101 number, quoting Ref 209112.
The independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.
There were numerous gift thefts throughout the UK this Christmas season, but this was surely the most heartless.
Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire Police are investigating Christmas burglaries in and around Cambridge.
Detectives believe a number of presents were stolen and then unwrapped but the paper was found in a bin bag inside a van.
Det Sgt Colin Norden said: “Unfortunately we have not been able to recover the gifts that were inside the paper. However, I am hoping someone who is missing their gifts will recognise the paper and we will be able to establish where it was stolen from.”
Police have released images of the wrapping paper to the public in hopes that someone recognizes it.
Anyone who recognises the paper is urged to contact police by calling 101 and quoting 35/51325/18.
