Mum's plea to grave vandals (From Penarth Times)

Mum's plea to grave vandals

8:50am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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A PENARTH mum has been forced to put a sign on her teenage daughter's grave – in a bid to stop vandals from damaging it.

Karen Dawson, of Lavernock Road, said ornaments have been broken and tributes stolen on daughter Jade Pemberton’s grave in Penarth Cemetery.

Mrs Dawson claims there have been repeated incidents of vandalism at Jade’s grave – to the extent that she even put up a sign asking vandals to stay away.

Jade died in March 2008 following treatment for Birkett’s Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

The 19-year-old left hospital after four months of chemotherapy, only to develop an infection and suddenly pass away.

Mrs Dawson said: "Lots of things have been stolen, moved and damaged on Jade’s grave - that’s why I put the sign up.

"As a family we should be able to leave whatever we like on her grave, and not worry that it’s going to be damaged or stolen.

"Jade meant everything to me, so to see her grave damaged is so upsetting.

"There just doesn’t seem to be any respect," she added. "I’ve spoken to the police and Penarth Town Council, but no-one does anything about the problem.

"It’s about time they did."

Mrs Dawson's family is the second to be affected by such vandalism.

In April, flowers and ornaments were kicked and scattered over Penarth teenager Craig Hopkins’ grave at the cemetery, an act which left his friends and family devastated.

Police chiefs said patrols would be increased at the cemetery, particularly in the evenings and at weekends when staff are not on site.

A spokeswoman for Penarth Town Council said: "We would urge members of the public to contact us if they see groups of young people causing trouble in the cemetery.

"If this happens out of normal working hours, then the police should be alerted.

"We will be speaking to the police, to see how patrols can be increased at the cemetery."

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