MIDDLEWICH residents have been left in shock after finding countless personal and sentimental items have been stolen from loved ones’ graves at Middlewich Cemetery.

During the festive period in Middlewich, mourners visited Middlewich Cemetery to leave various items for late family and friends, from Christmas trees and decorations to meaningful ornaments.

The disgust was then voiced loudly on social media as members of the Middlewich community noticed that a large amount of these items had been stolen.

One woman posted to Facebook: “Warning to anyone who has a loved one in the cemetery - please don't put a tree up with any lights on, I have just been to discover the Christmas tree that we had put there has been stolen.

“I am so disgusted, upset, angry that this could even happen.”

The warning prompted people to check their loved ones’ graves and then numerous people responded, explaining that the same thing had happened to them.

Lindsey Davies told the Guardian that this is the second time this has happened to a loved one’s grave at Middlewich Cemetery.

She said: “My nanna’s grave was robbed around two or three years ago on the old side, but this time it was my aunt’s on the new side.

“My auntie had a lot of Christmas decorations and a wonderful floral display my mum made for the grave and they were all stolen. There was also a mess of and glitter left on her memorial bench.

“It’s awful and my uncle who is missing her so much at this time of year especially is beside himself.”

Cheshire Police confirmed they had received a report of theft of several items from a grave at the cemetery.

Cllr Jonathan Parry said: “It’s disgusting. It’s the lowest form of theft, stealing from a grave. Whoever is doing it should be ashamed of themselves.

“It just isn’t something you would expect to happen. These things aren’t of great monetary value, but they are of huge value to the people who put them there.

“It will just continue until these people are found, so please keep your eyes peeled and if you see anything or if you have anything stolen, please report it to the police.

“I’m a great believer in CCTV – it’s the most effective way to catch people but there’s a cost involved and that is something that we should look at.”