GRIEVING parents have come together to stop thieves stealing soft toys, flowers and precious mementoes from their children's graves.

Police have branded the thieves, who sell the items door-to-door after stealing them from Eston Cemetery as 'despicable.'

The bereaved people joined forces when a 20-year-old mother left a letter by her baby's graveside begging the thieves to stop taking teddy bears and other soft toys which once belonged to her child.

Now Caroline Millward, whose 18-year-old son Mark died in a car accident five years ago, is mobilising the community to fight the thieves.

She said that her own son's grave had been targeted and a large number of bouquets and small presents left on graves have been taken regularly for more than a year.

Some families have held vigils deep into the night to try to catch the culprits and now up a 1,000 people have signed a petition demanding Redcar and East Cleveland Borough Council to install CCTV cameras.

Mrs Millward said: "It isn't even as if these people are kids. We are sure they are adults doing this simply to make money.

"The problem is much bigger than we first thought and we get more stories from more families all the time. Many of us can't sleep at nights as it is. The thought of these people stealing from the graves of our loved ones just makes it worse.

"We are meeting the council to talk about the possibility of CCTV cameras and the police have been excellent. We know that there are some kids who hang out there but they've caused us no problems - it is older people doing this."

Police said plots in the newer, Church Lane end of the cemetery were being targeted. Officers have arranged extra uniformed and plain clothed patrols and are working with community wardens to tackle the problem.

PC Simon Whitlock said: "News of these thefts is very upsetting and we are appalled at the callous nature of the thieves. Their uncaring behaviour is quite despicable and we will do whatever it takes to stop this happening."