A heartbroken mum is urging tighter security at cemeteries after her son's grave was desecrated.

Michelle Greenwood has organised a petition of more than 200 names, calling for action from Bradford Council, following a wave of vandalism and theft.

Her son, Luke, was only a day old when he died earlier this year but she has stopped visiting his grave at Scholemoor Cemetery in Bradford because she is so devastated by the attacks.

Miss Greenwood, 30, of Hailsworth Crescent, Holme Wood, Bradford, said: "I've been tending his grave every other day. I've bought him little windmills and ornaments but they've all gone missing.

"The final straw was when I went up there and everything was smashed. All the ornaments were broken and the flowers we'd left had been pulled up. It's bad enough losing someone, never mind going up to their grave to find everything's ruined."

She and her parents, Sheila and Maurice Greenwood, have collected more than 200 signatures so far for a petition calling for improved security at Scholemoor and other cemeteries in the district. She will hand it to Bradford Council.

Luke had been diagnosed as having a serious illness during pregnancy and died at Leeds Infirmary in May, shortly after being born.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "There have been a number of thefts of ornaments from graves in Scholemoor Cemetery and we would like to offer our sympathy to families who have suffered distress.

"Cemeteries are open and often have areas that are remote. It is difficult to watch every corner but staff are working with the police and the Ranger Service.''

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