THIEVES who stole toys and figurines from children's graves in Worcester have been labelled "scum" by a distraught mother.

Maxine Sherwood, 47, of Warndon Villages, lovingly placed knight figurines on the grave of her son William to "protect him" - only for heartless thieves to steal them twice.

She first discovered the knights had been taken on what would have been her son's birthday on July 2 and then again on the anniversary of his death on September 7.

"I was absolutely heartbroken", said Ms Sherwood, who lost her nine-year-old boy to a brain virus.

"How could anyone steal from a child's grave? The thieves are the lowest of the low.

"They are the scum of the earth - it's disgusting and I'm sickened.

"I want them to be caught but I'm not too hopeful."

A spate of thefts from children's graves took place at Astwood Cemetery and Worcester Crematorium between Thursday, July 2, and Thursday, September 10, with several bereaved families affected.

Police investigations are ongoing but no-one has yet been arrested.

Ms Sherwood, who is now divorced and has no other children, added: "William loved knights but now I'm too scared to put any figurines on the grave in case they are stolen.

"I should be able to put items on my son's grave without worrying.

"I doubt I'll get the stolen items back but I do want the thieves brought to justice."

Sergeant Sara Goodman, of Crime Bureau, said: “We are unsure at the moment if this is a spate of spontaneous thefts or whether the incidents are linked, but we are currently working with the victims to try to locate the items and identify any offenders.

"This is a particularly upsetting crime given the sensitive and sentimental nature of the items stolen.

"There has been a range of figures stolen including large Disney characters - Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy which are about 18ins tall - and angels and knight figurines.

"I would also urge anyone else who has been a victim of a similar theft to please report it to us on 101 as soon as possible or if you see anyone acting suspiciously around the graveyard.”

Anyone with any information should call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting reference 22CA/64422Y/15.