To rob the dead is unforgivable (From Warrington Guardian)

To rob the dead is unforgivable

A PENSIONER went to lay flowers at her dead husband's resting place in Winsford only to find that vandals had stolen part of the memorial.

Kathleen Johnson, 78, and formerly of Station Road, was appalled by the actions of the people responsible for desecrating her husband Harold's grave in the cemetery at Christchurch, Wharton.

And the Rev Tim Hanson said that the theft was just part of the problem of anti-social behaviour around the church lately, with dog mess being spread on cars belonging to visitors to the church.

Mrs Johnson said that the vandals took a section of the memorial where she would leave flowers.

She said: "It's of use to anybody apart from the family. The vicar said that he had a lot of problems during the holidays with vandalism, but to rob the dead is just unforgivable.

"It really is just the lowest of the low and absolutely mindless."

Mr Hanson said: "The past three weeks we have had quite a lot of problems. Dog dirt has been thrown over people's cars and smeared over their windows outside the church.

"People visiting the graves have had stones and sticks thrown at them.

"Then we have builders here at the moment carrying out work on the roof and they have had stones thrown at them while they work at the top of ladders.

"We have tentatively given the police names of who we think is responsible."

Mr Hanson added: "The problems come and go and it seems to be our turn every couple of months. The worrying thing is that someone is going to get injured soon."

A spokesman for Vale Royal Borough Council said that the town's community safety wardens would be stepping up patrols around the church in response to the problems.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk