A PETERSFIELD family is calling for measures to be taken to put a stop to a spate of theft at the cemetery on Rams Hill.

Valerie Brand complained to the police this week when she found more gifts had been stolen from her daughter's grave at the Petersfield cemetery.

Susan Brand died on her way home from work last October in a car crash on the A272 near Rogate. Members of the family regularly visit her grave to leave gifts and take care of her headstone.

But recently presents have been stolen or moved around the site, causing hassle and distress

Mrs Brand said: "There have been flowers that have gone missing and a rose bowl. We have also had teddy bears stolen from her stone. Sometimes they have been placed on other people's stones.

"We reported this to the police, who told us to go to the council. They have said that they will look into it."

She said: "We visit Susan's grave every day and take good care of it. It is very distressing when something like this happens.

"When we find things have been taken or moved it makes me feel as if we can't go back there, which is awful.

"The police told us that there was a problem with vandalism at a Waterlooville cemetery and they have had CCTV installed.

"I would support this at the Petersfield cemetery because the police simply do not have the staff to keep going up there to check on the site."

Mrs Brand contacted the police and East Hampshire District Council this week to report the incidents and find out what can be done. But officers and officials say the incidents are isolated.

Acting police inspector at Petersfield, Geoff Broome, said all incidents of theft and vandalism were treated seriously.

He said: "We do patrol the area from time to time but, due to the level of our staff, we cannot initiate any special operations.

"We are aware of this case and will give it the same attention we give to any of the other incidents around the town. But this is an isolated case and we have had no other reports of this nature from the cemetery."

East Hampshire District Council cemetery officer Linda Hayler said: "This is obviously something that I am looking into but it is not a problem we have had in the past.

"I will be speaking to the contractors who work on the land. They have to move a lot of objects before they can proceed with their work."

She added: "It is a difficult situation because, as sad as it is for her, we have not had a problem like this in Petersfield before."