THIEVES are targeting women paying their respects to lost loved ones at a cemetery.
Four times this month women who have gone to visit graves in Chingford Mount Cemetery have had their bags stolen from their cars.
Three victims' car boots were broken into in broad daylight while they were in the cemetery in Old Church Road, Chingford, and in the latest incident a woman's bag was stolen from her footwell after she left her car unlocked.
The thefts occurred between 11am and 1pm on May 6 and May 20, while two happened on May 16.
Cemetery manager Gary Bagridge expressed his disgust at the crimes.
"It's awful," he said. "We've actually put something on our website to warn people now. I was very surprised because in a place like this, it's a place where people mourn. They are showing no respect.
"It's very surprising but it goes to show how low these thieves will go, really."
A police spokeswoman said: "We would urge all motorists never to leave anything of value in the vehicles, even if it is just for a few moments."
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