Buckingham Town Council has been liaising with the Neighbourhood Policing Team regarding several decorative items missing from individuals’ graves. These disappearances are understandably upsetting for family and friends visiting the Cemetery and the Council is keen to ensure that these incidents stop.
The Council asks that all cemetery visitors ensure no valuable items are left on graves, and that any items that are left are secured in place. They also ask that if any visitor notices anything suspicious this is reported to the police.
Unfortunately, installing CCTV at the Cemetery is not possible as the area is too large for this to be viable and would be intrusive for those grieving.
Mrs. Innes who has had several items go missing from her son Peter Innes’ grave told us that “The distress and shock perpetrated following the discovery that two items, a Celtic stone and statue, placed on Peter’s grave by his brother have disappeared cannot be described.
Five items have gone missing in five years. Police are now involved and any further thefts can be reported online and dealt with seriously. Three items removed, including one returned after being publicised in the local paper and on social media, and a resin kestrel and cat, are inexpensive and available at Buckingham Garden centre. The recent items were placed on the grave by the brother of Peter and had greater significance. We do not understand why anyone needs these items or why they have been taken.
Please could the person who removed the Celtic stone and the statue, or anyone who knows of their whereabouts, place them back on the grave of Peter. The family would appreciate this act.
Following the removal of the Celtic stone and the statue, the family are grateful that the matter has been taken seriously and warning notices have been placed in the cemetery. The matter is being dealt with by the police, Town Council and other visitors.
Please report any suspicious activity in the cemetery to the police and the Town Council.”
Thames Valley Community Police met with Mrs. Innes and the Town Council Cemetery team, and said that “the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to work with our partner agencies and deal with any such offences appropriately. We appreciate the sensitivity of the location and officers will be patrolling in the area. If you have any information that could assist the police, you can contact us online via our website or by calling 101. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”