Barrow Cemetery to have increased patrols
Last updated at 13:42, Monday, 24 December 2012
INCREASED patrols will be held at Barrow Cemetery in a bid to stop items being stolen from graves.
A Barrow woman who has had flowers stolen from a family grave this festive period said thieves should think about how their
actions affect people who have lost loved ones.
In a letter to the Evening Mail, Jayne Treen expressed her disgust at having items stolen from graves at the cemetery.
She said: “Speaking on behalf of my family, my first words are have respect for families who no longer have their families here to
celebrate at Christmas or at any other time of the year.
“This comes from my findings after visiting my mum, dad and nana’s resting place on December 16 at Barrow Cemetery to check on their Christmas flowers and I found they were gone and nowhere to be seen. This is not the first time this has happened approximately three months ago when ornaments went missing. Whoever did this, and I hope you are reading this, how low can you go?”
PC Jenna Birbeck said patrols of the cemetery would continue throughout the festive period.
She said: “Due to the spate of suspicious incidents reported earlier in the year we increased our patrols in the area and will
continue to patrol during the festive period. We would urge any member of the public to contact us should they see anything suspicious or have any concerns. People can contact us on 101 or if a crime is taking place, dial 999.
“Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Wendy Egerton, who patrols the cemetery with other volunteers on a daily basis, said she will not give up on getting more safety
improvements.
She said: “It actually hasn’t been too bad for thefts lately. Myself and my daughter have been doing the rounds three times a day. I wouldn’t be surprised if more things started going missing now though, with the school holidays and things like that. Anyone who has anything stolen should definitely report it to the office at the cemetery.”
First published at 13:21, Monday, 24 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
Please don't steal ornaments and flowers from graves. It causes a great deal of distress and as said in the article, many of us don't have our loved ones with us to celebrate Christmas and anniversaries, the only way we can mark those events is to decorate the resting places of much loved and missed relatives and friends.
Posted by amy on 26 December 2012 at 10:26