Councillor speaks of disbelief that anyone could ‘stoop so low’ to steal from crematorium

 

A senior councillor says she is “horrified” and “disgusted” after thieves stole 100 plants from a baby garden at a crematorium.

And Coun Pat Latty could not believe anyone could “stoop so low” as to take the plants from Rawdon Crematorium.

The thieves struck at some time during a 90-minute window on Sunday afternoon, shortly after council workers had planted flowers in the special garden.

A police spokesman said the plants, reportedly worth about £50 were taken between 4pm and 5.30pm.

Coun Latty, who represents the Guiseley and Rawdon ward on Leeds City Council, said: “The only thing I can say is it’s absolutely disgusting.

“I cannot believe anybody would stoop so low as to steal bedding plants from a crematorium let alone a baby garden.

“I’m absolutely horrified.

“I hope if anybody has seen anything they let the police know.”

A spokesman for Leeds City Council, which looks after the area including the baby garden, described the theft as “shocking”.

“It is quite shocking that someone appears to have stolen some bedding plants that the grounds staff had only just planted out last week at Rawdon cemetery,” she said.

 

“This has been reported to the local police as theft and while we endeavour to keep our cemeteries as secure as possible, particularly at night, we are also mindful that they are public open spaces.

“We would ask our visitors to remain vigilant at all times and if they see anything untoward, please report this to either the police or to the main office at Farnley Hall on             (0113) 3957400      .”

The spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said officers from the North West Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team were investigating the theft and urged anyone with any information about the incident or the plants to come forward.

He said the theft related solely to the baby garden at the crematorium and anyone with information should call the police’s non-emergency number 101.

(Reproduced from the Bradford Argus and Telegraph, 13th June)

Gardien Comment: It's not the monetary value which matters but the bad taste such behaviour leaves. Surely someone saw what was happening and should have questionned what was going on?