Grieving mum's plea after thieves target baby's grave

A mother whose daughter died when she was 36 weeks pregnant has said she is "hurting a lot" after thieves targeted her child's grave twice.

Courteney Alikhan said figures had been taken from the grave at Canley Crematorium, Coventry, prompting her to launch a petition for improved security at council-managed cemeteries and crematoriums, including CCTV at entry and exit points.

The council has pledged to strengthen security but stopped short of committing to CCTV, saying it would not be "practical or proportionate". It also urged families to report suspected thefts or vandalism to police.

Alikhan said the decision was disappointing and believes the council is "allowing the problem to continue".

"Losing a child is bad enough, no one wants to experience that, but to then have someone go to where she is resting, it is a real big invasion of her privacy," Alikhan, 28, added.

"You are taking from people that can't defend themselves and that hurts a lot because as her mum I am not there to defend her."

While pregnant with daughter Avayah-Laylah in May, Alikhan was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire after feeling unwell but suffered a "massive haemorrhage" on the way.

"When I got to the hospital, I had lost so much blood and they said she had passed away," she said.

Following the funeral in June, the family decorated the grave with personal items and keepsakes.

"Everything was fine until this summer when, within just over 24 hours, thieves stole from my daughter's grave twice," Alikhan, from Coventry, said.

"Her little figures were stolen, some were toys and ducks, things you wouldn't think would appeal to people."

Alikhan said she is not asking for cameras to monitor every grave but believes CCTV covering entrances and exits could provide vital evidence for police investigations.

"What happens is you report the theft, you get a crime number, and the police tell you how wrong it is, but then there's nothing they can do because there's no CCTV," she said.

"There is nothing families can do to stop these thefts because the council isn't putting up the equipment to help prevent it or make it easier to catch whoever is responsible. It feels like you're going around in circles."

She added: "I'm upset by the council's decision. I don't think what they have proposed is going to change much."

Since speaking publicly, Alikhan said she had been contacted by several other bereaved families who reported thefts from graves at Canley Crematorium and Lentons Lane Cemetery.

"These reports suggest this is not an isolated incident and that further action is needed to improve security across Coventry's cemeteries and crematoria," she said.

"Coventry City Council previously considered a petition on cemetery security in 2018. Since then, CCTV technology has become significantly more effective and affordable.

"Every family deserves the reassurance that they can visit the resting place of a loved one without fear of theft or vandalism."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, help and support is available at BBC Action Line.

Councillor Patricia Hetherton, cabinet member for city services, said the council was "committed to strengthening existing security arrangements" across the six cemeteries and crematoriums it manages.

Proposed measures include increasing routine monitoring by bereavement services staff and out-of-hours security personnel, reminding staff to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, and continuing to log incidents to identify any emerging patterns or areas of concern.

West Midlands Police urged anyone who had been a victim of this type of theft to contact them.

"We will continue to work alongside partners including the local authority and the cemetery's management to address concerns and investigate any thefts which are reported to us," the force added.

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