CALLOUS thieves broke into a woman’s car while she was laying flowers on her late partner’s grave.

The crooks smashed their way into the back of Jackie Gummer’s grey Ford Focus while it was parked in the car park at Pitsea Cemetery, off Church Road, Pitsea, at about 10.30am on Sunday.

They stole her handbag containing sentimental family photo’s before travelling to nearby High Road where they tried to withdraw money from a cash point using her stolen bank cards.

Fortunately they failed to take any money out of her account as they could not crack her pin number.

Mrs Gummer, 61, said: “These people are just wicked to do this kind of thing to people while they are paying their respects at a graveyard. It’s despicable.”

She had hidden her black and beige spotted handbag in the boot of her car because she had her hands full carrying flowers to her partner’s grave.

Mrs Gummer, from Laindon, was paying her respects when another mourner called over to her and said her car had been broken into.

She added: “The back window of my car was smashed to smithereens. It was dreadful. The thieves must have loitering somewhere, and watched me put my bag in the boot of my car.”

The handbag contained her medication, bus pass, make-up and her black leather purse.

As well as bank cards, the purse contained photographs and various keepsakes given to her by her family, which she is keen to get back.

Mrs Gummer has made regular visits to her partner’s grave since he passed away 14 years ago.

She said: “You just could not imagine it. When you go to these places, you are already het-up and upset.

“These thieves are preying on people when they are most vulnerable.

“I was told by someone at the cemetery this happens quite often. I would like to see signs warning people and some CCTV put up.

“I want to tell people about what happened to me to help stop others falling victim to these people.”

Anyone with information should contact police at Basildon on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.