RELATIVES mourning their loved ones at a cemetery in the county have been targeted by thieves.

People paying their respects at the graves of their families and friends are being warned to lock up their vehicles and remain vigilant when visiting Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, after a spate of thefts.

Police are also stepping up patrols to the area and have sent in plain-clothes officers, to try to track down the thieves.

During the last month or so, they have been waiting for grieving relatives to visit graves and then stealing belongings from unlocked cars.

Since the middle of February there have been five reported thefts of handbags stolen from vehicles which were left unattended and unlocked at the cemetery in Woodlands Road.

The crimes include the theft of an 82-year-old woman’s bag when she was visiting her husband’s grave on the anniversary of this death.

Medway Council has issued a clear warning to cemetery visitors. A spokesman confirmed warning posters have been put up around the cemetery.