POLICE are hunting a "despicable" thief who has been stealing flowers from a graveyard – often within minutes of a funeral taking place.

Burials in the churchyard of St Michael's at Honiton, Devon, have been repeatedly targeted over the past few months.

The thief has even been choosing which types of flowers to steal – discarding cheaper varieties.

Families of those buried in the graveyard have described the crime as "despicable".

PC Jo Arundale, leading the investigation for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "Someone has been removing fresh flowers from graves after mourners have left the area.

"This can often take place almost immediately after a funeral.

"The Honiton neighbourhood policing team is now working with the church to make sure that this activity stops and the person responsible is brought to account.

"Although often low-value thefts, the emotional impact of these crimes is very high and particularly distressing to those involved."

PC Arundale added: "The problem seems to be specific to St Michael's and we do not believe it is the actions of children misbehaving because of the nature of the thefts.

"In one incident, all the expensive flowers in a bouquet, such as roses, were removed with the other flowers left behind. Cards are also removed and left behind as flowers are taken."

Nicola McNally, whose home overlooks the churchyard, said that her parents' grave was targeted. "It is despicable. I've been placing flowers on my parents' grave for the past three years. In the last few months, they've been taken six times.

"One family who had a funeral came back a few hours later to take photographs of the flowers and somebody had taken them.

"In another incident, an elderly woman went to her late husband's grave to mark what would have been their 60th wedding anniversary, but her flowers had gone.

"Curiously, whoever is doing it, does not touch the graves of children or take artificial flowers."

PC Arundale said: "If the person responsible is reading this, I would urge them to consider the emotional impact of what they have been doing. Honiton police are now treating this as a priority."

Anyone who fears they may have been a victim of the thief, or has any information about the thefts can contact PC Arundale on 08452 777444.