A woman has hit out at crooks who stole holly wreaths from the graves of her parents and sister at a Norwich cemetery.

The woman, who does not want to be named but lives in the Irstead Road area of Earlham, said the wreaths were stolen from the graves at Earlham cemetery on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

She said: 'My mum, dad and sister are all along the front. I think it's so sad to think someone can do that to you.

'All I can say is I wish their hands could have come up from the grave - they would have had a heart attack. I think it's dreadful. I know my mum and dad are right near the footpath so people can walk through, but you still shouldn't take them. It's very upsetting. I think - how can people be so cruel?'

The wreaths, which cost about �15 each, were made for the victim who said she wants to warn others with precious items at the cemetery to be vigilant.

She said: 'It will keep people on their guard.'

Police in Norwich are appealing for information after the wreaths were stolen from graves in the cemetery between 4pm on Christmas Eve and 10.30am on Christmas Day.

The wreaths, which had been secured with cable to headstones, were taken from graves in the central area of the cemetery near Bowthorpe Road and Gipsy Lane section.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or noticed people acting suspiciously in the area around the times stated.

The wreath thefts are the latest in a long line of upsetting crimes at the cemetery.

In October the Evening News reported how Norwich woman Christine Samways, 21, had been left heartbroken after vandals had targeted the grave of her stillborn daughter Daisy-May three times - in June, August and again at the end of September.

Anyone with information about the wreath thefts should contact PC Simon Gooch at Earlham Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Have you got a crime story for the Evening News? Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk