Thieves target Peebles Cemetery

Published 10 Jun 2010 14:54 0 Comments

A DISTRAUGHT relative has told of her horror after gifts she left on a grave in Peebles Cemetery were stolen.

Alison Eadie, from Crossford near Lanark, regularly travels to Peebles to visit the grave of her aunt and uncle, Nora and Jack.

But when she visited last week she was horrified to discover that an ornamental vase and silk flowers she'd left had been stolen.

Alison, a Marie Curie cancer nurse, told the Peeblesshire News: "When I arrived at the grave and saw they'd been taken I felt absolutely sick to my stomach. How could anyone be so cruel?

"My sister and I are Jack and Nora's only surviving relatives, and I know how much it would mean to them that we visit the grave often and keep it looking nice for them.

"When my aunt Nora died, my uncle Jack visited her grave every single day and made sure it was kept absolutely immaculate. They would both be sick to their stomach to know this is how property is treated in the town they lived all their lives in and was so close to their hearts."

And Alison says that a lack of information within the cemetery meant she didn't know who she should report the problem to.

"I know the police are terribly busy so didn't want to bother them, I thought that the council would have wardens or someone around that I could speak to.

"I waited around but there wasn't anyone there I could tell. This isn't the first time my silk flowers have been stolen, and I'm sure it must have happened to other people as well.

"I was so upset but ended up having to just leave because there wasn't anything else I could do.

"I've replaced the vase and flowers again, but who knows if they'll still be there next time I visit."

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council (SBC), who are responsible for the upkeep of graveyards and cemeteries in the region, said: "The theft of flowers and vases from Peebles Cemetery has not been reported to SBC. Our cemetery staff and SB Wardens have been alerted to this report and will maintain their efforts to patrol the cemetery when they can.

"We would be happy to speak to the lady concerned and would ask her to call 0300 100 1800 to report any further incidents."

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