A GRIEVING mum has told how thieves have targeted her daughter’s grave ten times in four months.


Plants, ornaments and decorations have all been snatched from Marion Gaskell’s grave at Colchester Cemetery since Mother’s Day.


Distraught mum Martha Hulme has even been forced to leave a plaque at the graveside begging the culprits to leave it alone.


Ms Hulme, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent but who regularly visits her daughter’s grave, said: “My daughter has died, whoever is doing it, have respect for my daughter.
 

“This is about her.”
 

Marion, who lived in Colchester, died suddenly in January this year aged 40 following mental health issues.

Ms Hulme said in the latest incident, plants just going into bloom, put down just weeks ago, were taken.


A friend who has been keeping an eye on the grave for her contacted her to let her know.
 

The discovery was made on Sunday July 17 with the theft having taken place anytime in the week leading up to it.
 

It was reported to police.
 

Ms Hulme said: “On Mother’s Day a porcelain mug and cards on the grave were all taken.
 

“Since then I have reported incidents to the police about five times but there have been about ten incidents all together.”
 

Insp Barry Atkinson, of Colchester Police Station, said: “I condemn anybody that steals items from graveyards and this causes great upset to the families.”Witnesses are urged to contact police on 101.