Police hunt child grave 'looters'

Police on Teesside are hunting thieves suspected of looting the graves of children.

Officers in Hartlepool say they are appalled after recovering ornaments and plaques they believe have been stolen from cemeteries in the town.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said the ornaments were taken from the graves of youngsters.

He said: "This crime is an outrage.

"Anyone who has suffered the pain of bereavement will view this as an appalling act.

"We will deal with witnesses sensitively and with compassion."

The stolen items include two winged cherubs, a damaged Tinkerbell ornament and two circular plaques, one with a butterfly and one with a flower.

Another of the plaques bears the inscription: "Welcome to dad's garden."

It is thought most of the items were taken from graves at the town's Brierton Cemetery.

Two men aged 23 and 25 are being questioned by police.