Heartless thieves are targeting bereaved families while they visit their loved ones at a cemetery.

Several cars parked by Pitsea crematorium and cemetery in London Road, Pitsea, have been hit by crooks, police have revealed.

The latest victim was 66-year-old Iris Fisher, from Wickford, as she placed flowers on the grave of her daughter, Lorraine Batt.

Iris and her husband Edward parked their car in one of the car parks.

Iris said: "We were only there for ten minutes and when we walked back it had already happened. "They must have been watching us from somewhere, because we didn't see another soul when we arrived."

Basildon police said there have been a number of similar thefts from cars at the cemetery over the past few months.

Published Wednesday August 14, 2002

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