Sutton resident Julie Goddard visits her husband Stephen's grave at St Mary's Cemetery in the town every day — but last Wednesday morning she was shocked to find thieves had swiped ornaments from his grave.

"When I went up there someone had stolen an angel, a vase and flowers," she said.

"It was either on Tuesday night or early last Wednesday morning and they had just taken everything — I have reported it to the council."

Meanwhile, visitors to Kingsway Cemetery in Kirkby have launched a petition which they will submit to Ashfield District Council demanding extra security after continued incidents of theft and vandalism.

Kingsway resident Susan Rowley, whose parents and son are buried there, said: "It is happening all the time and something needs to be done.

"They will take anything — flowers, ornaments, even from babies' graves. It breaks your heart."

"We would like to see more security and CCTV cameras installed."

And another Kirkby resident, who has asked not to be named because she fears the thieves will target her son's grave, said: "It's not just a one-off thing. I have been talking to people and the petition is getting very full already."

People can sign the petition in a number of Kirkby shops including the Co-op, Coffee and Cream, the Shoe Shed, Somerfield, Fragrant Oasis, Farmfoods and Scissors.

A spokesman from Ashfield District Council, which is responsible for the sites, said: "We are saddened to hear of issues like this in our cemeteries, especially as Council staff work hard to provide a restful, safe and attractive place to allow families to pay due respect to their loved ones.

"We are introducing Cemetery Keepers into our key cemeteries to improve the on-site presence, unfortunately we cannot legislate for the mindless actions of the minority who do not show the appropriate respect.

• Anyone who sees anything suspicious should phone the helpline on 0800 183 84 84.