HEARTLESS thieves have stolen memorial lights from the grave of a young girl.
It is the second time the cemetery off Old London Road, Flint, has been targeted this year after a cruel vandal attack in October.
The solar lights had been placed next to the grave of the girl, who died four years ago.
Her shocked relatives, who do not want to be identified, have been left “hurt and angry” after they realised the lights had been stolen during a visit to the site on Bank Holiday Tuesday.
Flint councillor Alex Aldridge has spoken on behalf of the family who are too upset to talk about the theft.
He said: “The family is very upset. It is not the value of the lights, it is the fact the thieves have taken them.
“The family’s sense of shock is profound.
“It is the fact they have gone there and taken away these lights from an area which should have peace and quiet.
“It is unbelievable someone has gone there and taken something off a grave.”
Cllr Aldridge, whose parents are buried at the cemetery, spoke to the grandmother of the girl, who was of primary school age from Flint.
He said: “She is so angry and hurt, she is devastated. Nobody has the right to go there and take something from the grave. Those who did this are beyond contempt.
“There is no justification to go to the grave of a young child and take away items that have been placed there lovingly by her family.
“It is a place of peace.”
Last year Lisa Cotton, from Flint, was left heartbroken after a ceramic teddy bear ornament had been stolen in a separate incident from her mother’s grave at the cemetery.
And in October, vandals trashed the cemetery causing heartache for dozens of families by smashing keepsake ornaments and scattering flowers.
Cllr Aldridge has now called for action to stop any more families falling victim.
He said: “They have come up through Old Cornist Lane. It is a blind spot there. I will speak to the council about putting a fence there to try and prevent people getting in.
“I’m also calling on people who use the cemetery to keep an eye out and report anyone acting suspiciously to police or Flintshire Council.
“I’m struggling to find words to express my anger.
“There is enough for people to do, there is no excuse for this kind of behaviour.”
He added: “So many people have been going up there at Christmas. It is a difficult time.”
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “The incident has been reported to us. Anybody with information is urged to contact local officers in Flint on 101 on 0300 3300 101.”
A spokesman for Flintshire Council said: “We have very, very few problems at Old London Road. We have not been made aware of this incident.”