A war veteran has called for warden patrols to be stepped up at a Bradford cemetery after thieves repeatedly targeted his son’s grave.

John Howker, 74, of New Hey Road, East Bowling, visits Bowling Cemetery three times a week to tend the grave of David Howker, who died suddenly of a heart attack eight years ago, aged 38.

Flowers and lanterns have been removed from the grave several times, and in the latest incident two large planters were taken.

Mr Howker, who served in the Far East and was recently awarded a medal by the Malaysian government, said: “It’s gone on every year for eight years. During this time I have gone up three times a week and I have only seen a park warden six times if that.

“Whoever’s taken the planters couldn’t have carried them out, they were a metre long. They have pulled their car up alongside the grave.

“You don’t expect to lose your own kids and you want to do what you can for them, but when this happens it opens the wound again. Each time it happens it gets more painful.”

Antonio Smith, Bradford Council’s bereavement services manager, said: “Our Neighbourhood Wardens regularly patrol the cemeteries and I have asked them to be extra vigilant at Bowling Cemetery. However, it is difficult to provide 24-hour cover and we do close the gates in the evening to prevent vehicular access.

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