Youths accused of stealing tributes from graves at a Southend cemetery have been branded "sick" by police officers.

Detectives at Southend hit out after they recovered a stolen haul of teddy bears, crucifixes and other tributes left by grieving friends and family at gravestones in Sutton Road cemetery, Southend.

The officers now face the distressing task of trying to reunite the tributes with their owners.

Det Con Jim Ling of Southend CID said: "We were unsure whether to publicise this as it will be upsetting for people involved but at the end of the day we thought they would want their property back and want to know what has happened."

The items are believed to have been taken from graves late last Tuesday night. Officers recovered them after arresting two 17-year-olds on unrelated charges.

Det Con Ling added: "It is very sad that someone could think it is fun to steal tributes from a grave.

"These items were not valuable so are of little use to anyone - to steal them is just a sick prank."

If you think any of these items may be yours, call Det Con Ling at Southend police on 01702 431212.

Unclaimed - police are looking for the owners of these tributes, believed stolen from graves at Sutton Road Cemetery, Southend

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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