A CASE of suspected theft and damage of a grave at Barrow Cemetery has been branded ‘disgraceful’ amid calls for CCTV at the site.

Ormsgill councillor Bill McEwan said there has been problems at the cemetery in the past.

“I think it’s absolutely horrendous if it’s raising it’s head again and it needs nipping in the bud as quickly as possible,” he said.

“You’re just swiping somebody’s memories of a loved one.

“Just going in and violating the space - I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Yesterday, Cumbria Constabulary announced it had launched an investigation after reports of items being damaged and stolen at a gravestone at the Devonshire Road site.

A police spokesman said the items involved included ‘a daughter plaque and two ornamental angels’.

He said the incidents occurred on May 13, June 4 and June 6.

Although Cllr McEwan said he personally had not heard of any incidents for a ‘long, long time’, criminal activity has apparently been a problem at the cemetery in the past.

Andrea Kenny, of Barrow, said some solar powered lights at her mother’s grave were taken last year.

Ms Kenny said it was ‘very upsetting that people would have the audacity to do such a thing’.

“They were solar-powered lights - not expensive, but not the point,” she said.

“They were around my Mam’s resting place; we always keep it nice and tidy.

“To be honest I was distraught - I think it is disrespectful and utterly disgraceful that any individual could do such a thing.

“I feel like it’s letting someone in your own home and them stealing from you - it’s just not right.”

Ms Kenny said some of the plots around her mother’s grave were also stolen from and called for the introduction of CCTV at the site.

Anyone with information about the most recent incidents at the cemetery is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log number 158 of June 7. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.