Items stolen from grave at Earlham Cemetery in Norwich

Sanita Bukovska has warned others with loved ones in Earlham Cemetery after decorative butterflies, bulbs and fresh flowers were ripped from her son's grave.

Her son, Santijs Locmelis, died after a long battle with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a rare and untreatable type of epilepsy, this February.

Sanita Bukovska with her son Santijs Locmelis (Image: Sanita Bukovska)

The lights had been specially ordered by the 38-year-old to resemble butterflies, which had always been Santijs' favourite.

“It was heartbreaking," she said. "I stood there and cried my eyes out.

 “He was a bright and shiny boy and was always cheering everyone up."

Santijs Locmelis' grave at Earlham Cemetery (Image: Sanita Bukovska)

Following the theft on Monday, Miss Bukovska heard countless other stories of items being stolen from graves in the Norwich City Council-run cemetery. 

Miss Bukovska, who lives in Tuckswood, hopes that more will be done to secure the area and says the site should be a "place for peace".

“I still can’t sleep at night because I don’t know if it’s safe for him there or not," she said. “In front of the grave, there was even a pillow where someone had been sleeping at night.

Sanita Bukovska with her son Santijs Locmelis (Image: Sanita Bukovska)

“This place is for the peace, not for drinking or taking things away.

"We can only hope that one day people will understand that it should be a place we can go with peace in our hearts."

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said "it is always really distressing for loved ones when personal items placed on graves are stolen or vandalised" and confirmed that specialists are available to help relatives.

Santijs Locmelis loved butterflies (Image: Sanita Bukovska)

“We have been speaking directly with the relatives in this particular case and we have been assured that we have provided sensitive advice and support," he added.

"Thankfully our specialist bereavement officers are always here for anyone with concerns about loved ones buried in Earlham Cemetery.

“Sadly, on a small number of occasions, items are stolen from graves. We always advise that these are placed there at the owner’s risk."