Handbag stolen at funeral

8:13am Wednesday 4th July 2007

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A WOMAN who had her handbag stolen during a funeral service at Landican is warning cemetery-users to look after their belongings.

Ann Weston from Birkenhead comforted her friend as she buried her father while thieves forced her car door open and made off with her bag, which was inside.

“You wouldn’t think that something like that would happen in a place where people are grieving.”

Ann Weston

It contained money, bank cards and a mobile phone that had irreplaceable pictures of her sister on it, who had died last year.

And within 15 minutes the culprits ran up a 300 credit card bill after cracking one of Ann's PIN numbers.

"I'm annoyed with myself for leaving my bag," said Ann, "but it was the last thing on my mind.

"You wouldn't think that something like that would happen in a place where people are grieving."

"When I returned to my car and heard my alarm going off, I knew that something was wrong.

"It was then that I noticed that the door and lock had been forced and sure enough, my bag was gone.

She added: "I am disgusted to think that someone could stoop so low and strike when grieving people would least expect it.

"Instead of comforting my friend while she mourned, I tried frantically to cancel my cards and felt so guilty that I was unable to properly be there for her."

Ann said that her bag and the contents were worth around 800 pounds and is now warning other cemetery users to keep an eye on their valuables at all times.

Fortunately she was able to claim the stolen 300 pounds back but said the experience was "horrible."

"I know I was stupid to think that my bag would be safe, but my mind was elsewhere.

"I just hope that people take heed of my warning to prevent such thoughtless criminals."

Pensby and Thingwall councillor Sarah Quinn said: "I am absolutely appalled at what has happened to this lady at a time when she would obviously have been very distressed anyway.

"It is hard to comprehend that that there are heartless opportunist thieves about who will take advantage of such situations."

Upton sergeant Martin Fletcher said a police investigation is underway.

"I would like to take this opportunity to urge people, no matter where they park their vehicles, not to take any chances and leave any valuables in the vehicle," he said.

"We know that thieves have no conscience and are opportunist."

He added: "We are stepping up our patrols in hotspot areas with officers in high-vis uniform and plain clothes, but we ask the public to play their part and take extra care."

Anyone with information about this incident on June 1 is urged to call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111 or 0151 709 6010.