OAP finds memorial to loved one stolen

7:04am Thursday 17th January 2008

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A Banstead pensioner has been left distraught after finding that the memorial headstone on the grave of her loved one had been stolen by heartless thieves.

Margaret Oliver, 82, of Nork Way, made the discovery after returning to lay some fresh flowers beside the gravestones in Epsom Cemetery just a week before Christmas.

“The theft of headstones is a despicable act that takes advantage of not only the families whose loved ones’ headstones are stolen, but also those families to whom they are sold as new."

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council spokesman

When she got there, she realised the carved book on the grave had been stolen.

"We had it made seven years ago when my husband died and the lettering was fading a way a bit so our stonemason was going to do it again for us," Mrs Oliver said.

"At first, I thought he had come and taken it but I phoned him and he said he hadn't touched it. I couldn't believe that anyone could do something like that," she said.

Mrs Oliver suffered another blow when she realised that the stone, worth £800 and uninsured, had probably been stolen to order by someone ready to remove the inscription ready for another unsuspecting family elsewhere.

She said: "Our stonemason asked if we had it insured but it never occurred to me to insure it. It is just shocking that someone would do such a thing but he said that sometimes they are stolen to order. If someone wants a book, then they go out and get a book, it's just awful."

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council said it was aware of the thefts and that, as well as 24-hour CCTV cameras at all gates, its contractors and local stonemasons had also been warned to remain vigilant.

A spokesman said: "The council takes any thefts from its cemeteries very seriously and actively seeks to investigate any reports of vandalism or theft.

"The theft of headstones is a despicable act that takes advantage of not only the families whose loved ones' headstones are stolen, but also those families to whom they are sold as new.

"The council will continue to investigate and implement a range of options with regard to ensuring the safety and security of the cemetery and its visitors. We will work closely with our partner agencies to achieve this."