A councillor has pledged to up patrols of a graveyard after a mother spoke of her distress about her son's vandalised grave. 

Claire Ridgers has been left devastated by vandals who have repeatedly targeted her late son Leo's grave. 

She said that Leo’s resting place, in Worting Road cemetery had been re-arranged, with toys and teddy bears left there taken, whilst lights on the grave had been smashed.

Since then, Leo’s grave has been vandalised seven or eight times, and she is worried that she may need to exhume his coffin if his grave continues to be targeted.

Cllr Hayley Eachus said it was upsetting to hear of this news and said the council were upping patrols. 

The cabinet member for environment and enforcement said: “It is extremely upsetting and very disappointing for families when graves are damaged or items moved."

She continued: "We are aware of the incidents and have reported them to the police and our own Community Safety Patrol Officers who are increasing patrols in the area.

"We lock the gates to the cemetery at night and our cemetery staff remain vigilant to this anti-social and distressing behaviour.

Cllr Eachus added: "We will continue to work with the police and appeal to people who may witness incidents at the cemetery to report them to 101.”