A HEARTBROKEN mum has branded the person who stole a sentimental item from her disabled son's grave as 'the lowest of the low'.

Jill Farney is devastated after a chrome lantern was taken from the grave of her son, Andrew Farney, at Astwood Cemetery in Worcester.

The theft is one of four reported to have occurred at the cemetery recently and Mrs Farney says this type of behaviour must stop so other families do not have to suffer the same pain.

Her 24-year-old son, who had Down's Syndrome, died suddenly on Christmas Eve, 2011 because of serious heart and lung problems. Andrew was the youngest of her four sons.

The 68-year-old of Pinns Green, between Worcester and Malvern, left the lantern on his grave at 2.30pm on Tuesday (July 19) only to return the following day to find it gone.

Whoever stole it left behind the lantern's candle and the tumbler Mrs Farney used to stop the candle flame blowing out.

When Mrs Farney notified the office at Astwood Cemetery, she was told she was one of four people from whom such sentimental items had been stolen recently.

Mrs Farney said: "They're the lowest of the low. The worst part is that there's a photograph of Andrew on his grave. Andrew didn't like things like that, nasty people. He was generous and kind, a very sensitive young lad.

"This has nothing to do with the cost of the lantern - it's purely because I don't see how they can pinch off someone's grave."

The family has also suffered similar thefts in the past - last year solar flowers and a solar fairy were taken from the grave.

She added: "I've asked if they can put up CCTV cameras but they say they can't afford it but with the prices people are paying for funerals I don't see why not."

There is CCTV but only at the crematorium itself.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: "We would like to express our sympathy to Mrs Farney.

"Sadly there are occasional incidents of items being removed from graves at Astwood Cemetery, sometimes to other locations in the site.

"We always urge people to mark any items they leave with the grave number, so that if they are found elsewhere they can be quickly returned.

"If items are stolen, the theft should always be reported to the police, as Mrs Farney has done in this case."

Those with information about the theft can contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident reference 388 S 200716.