TO steal sentimental items from someone’s grave is the lowest of the low.

No excuse can justify why anyone would think this acceptable or carry out the act.

The crooks who took the items from the grave of Irene Morris’ husband would have known how much hurt and anguish it would have caused her.

Yet still, they gave not a second thought to swiping the items.

The plant pot they pilfered was worth pennies but the heartache it cause is insurmountable.

It would be bad enough if this had happened just the once, but for poor Irene this is the fourth time her husband’s grave has been targeted.

And she says several members of the public have also told her similar stories about items being stolen from graves - some of which were children’s graves.

There are no words strong enough to describe the people who are heartless enough to steal from someone’s grave.

Not only are they disrespecting the dead, but causing unmeasurable pain and upset to the families left behind.

Colchester Council says it is doing all it can to prevent theft and vandalism.

It also advises people not to leave items of monetary or sentimental value in the cemetery grounds.

But the reality is it shouldn’t have to do these things.

People should be able to - and feel confident enough - to leave flowers or a momento at the grave of a loved one without fear of theft.

There is something wrong in the world if the place where we go to remember the dead is not sacred.