A GRANDDAUGHTER has told of her devastation at discovering thieves had stolen from her nan’s grave.

Kerrie Smith visits her nan Elsie Rogers’ grave at Witham Cemetery off Cypress Road every few weeks.

On Sunday, her mum Sue visited the cemetery, and found an angel plant pot holder with a picture drawn by Kerrie’s daughter had been stolen.

Police say it is one of a few thefts to have taken place so far this year.

Sue had visited the grave as it was the day of Elsie’s husband George’s birthday — he died a year ago aged 91.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Kerrie, 29, of Glebe Crescent in Witham, said: “The angel pot was something the family bought nan when she died.

“My mum was in a right state, it’s disgusting that people are going in and searching around the plots, it’s disrespectful.”

Kerrie’s daughter Rachel, 10, had drawn a picture of her great-grandad George and had placed it on top of the angel pot.

Elsie Rogers died from a heart attack 17 years ago, and Kerrie said the pot was not something they would be able to replace now.

She said: “A lot of my friends have said they have had stuff taken as well over the past two weeks.

“There seems to be a spate of people stealing.

“Mum is still upset but she is also angry, it’s not something you would expect.”

The theft happened at about 1pm, and police have been made aware of the incident.

A spokesman from Braintree Council said: “It’s always distressing to hear that an ornament of any kind has gone missing because we know that many people put a lot of effort into making the graves look as nice as possible.

“We will let the staff who work in the cemetery know to see if they have heard or seen anything just in case the item has been moved.

“Thankfully damage to and thefts of memorials are quite rare as most visitors to the cemeteries treat them with the respect they deserve.”

Anyone with information should call 101.