A family have been left horrified after they discovered a grave decoration they had laid for a family member had been stolen from a crematorium.

Teresa Orrell, 51, of Vermont Close, Pitsea, was visiting her brother, Victor Boshell’s grave with her mother last week when she realised that the large diamond decoration they had previously laid on his grave was missing.

The theft follows similar incidents, in which flowers and other ornaments have been taken from graves in Bowers Gifford Crematorium and Cemetery.

Teresa said: “It was such a shock to realise what had happened, and my mother was completely distraught when she saw.

“My brother only passed away three years ago so the pain of losing him is still quite fresh, and it just doesn’t help to have an incident like this happening.”

The incident has upset Teresa and her mother so much that they have decided that they will not longer be putting new decorations on the grave because the threat of them being stolen is so high.

They are instead working on a memorial in the garden, where they will put a second diamond that Teresa had bought alongside an existing memorial plaque and tree.

Teresa said: “I don’t understand how somebody could steal something like that from a grave, and then live with that in their home knowing every day that it was taken from a cemetery.

“It seems impossible me that somebody could do something like that and not feel any remorse.”

Teresa said that she believes it to be an act of mindless theft, however, with boot sale season approaching has also cautioned other visitors that similar ornaments could be going missing.

She said: “I don’t expect to get the ornament back, and I’m not looking to get anybody in trouble for what they have done. It could have just been someone causing trouble, I understand that.

“I just want them to appreciate the fact that this has really upset a grieving family, and that even seemingly small thefts can have a big impact.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.