POLICE have stepped up patrols at a crematorium in a bid to stop thieves stealing sentimental funeral flowers.

Officers launched the crackdown after a selection of floral tributes were snatched from the courtyard at Basildon Crematorium, in Church Road, Bowers Gifford.

Police were contacted at least four times by distraught families.

They all arrived at the crematorium the day after paying their last respects to loves one to discover personalised tributes, which they were due to collect, had been stolen overnight.

Following the reports earlier this month, Basildon's community policing team launched a crackdown.

Officers have been patrolling the crematorium day and night.

While they have been unable to catch the thieves responsible for snatching the flowers, there have been no further incidents reported over the past 15 days.

PC Marek Jaworski, based in Basildon, said: "The PCSOs from Pitsea have been down there, engaging with people and patrolling the grounds.

"We have been going at different times, keeping them spread out and have been patrolling on foot and in cars.

"It's good to see that the spate of funeral flower thefts have not carried on, hopefully that is the end of it.

"We still want people to keep their eyes peeled for anything that is out of the ordinary, especially a large van that is capable of transporting large amounts of flowers."

He urged mourners to continue to be vigilant when leaving floral tributes in the courtyard.

Mr Jaworski aid that police are aware of thefts on Tuesday, April 12, Monday, April 11, Wednesday, February 24 this year, as well as one in April 2015.

In one incident, a £45 custom made white and purple pillow-shaped floral tribute for Margaret Herrman, 83, who died after a short illness, was taken.

An elephant-shaped bouquet of flowers, in tribute to Dunton Hills Golf Course greenkeeper David Simcock, 74, was also snatched.

A display of roses, shaped in the word granddad, was stolen after the funeral of Gary Emerick, from Canvey.

John Stevens, crematorium manager, said that CCTV cameras have also been installed in the grounds in a bid to deter thieves.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.