Police believe thieves are creating new bouquets and selling them.

They are also investigating a spate of vandalism at the cemetery, with gravestones damaged and trinkets stolen.

Martin Green, bereavement services manager, said: "We have had some very upset relatives coming to us.

"We involved the police after a spate of reports of flowers and other items being stolen.

"The police have advised us to tell relatives not to lay flowers on graves for a couple of months until the thefts stop. They also suggested relatives could cut the stalks off the flowers so they could not be repackaged and sold on.

"I would urge the people who have done this to look into their hearts and imagine the impact it has.

"Someone who has lost a loved one wants to express their emotions by putting flowers on a grave – it's obviously very upsetting for them."

Local councillor Jan Wilson said: "What a state of affairs we have come to when people can't even put flowers on their loved ones' graves."



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