A devastated mum has made a plea for more security cameras after her baby girl's grave was vandalised and her teddy bears' heads chopped off.

Shannon Spring says she is absolutely heartbroken after ornaments and decorations were smashed and dumped in bushes at Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham.

Mum Shannon explains how her baby girl's grave enables her to be closer to her child

The 25-year-old’s daughter, Lily-Mae, was stillborn eight years ago.

The Chatham mother now struggles to keep her baby's resting place intact after four attacks in just two weeks.

She said: "It’s just heartbreaking. It’s the only place I can go to feel close to her.

"People have been smashing things up and dumping them on the other side of the graveyard or in the alleyways.

"They’ve smashed decorations and her ornament, cut off her teddy bears' heads and pulled out all the flowers from her grave."

Shannon has contacted the police but says they have been unable to help due to lack of proof.

Police said their investigation had been closed but urged anyone with information to call 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/80726/22.

Shannon also contacted the cemetery and bosses were clear it was not their workers removing items.

Now the mum-of-three is fighting to get at least five more cameras installed in the hope of catching the vandals if they strike again – and has set up a petition calling for them to be put in.

Shannon added: "A baby has done nothing wrong, she can’t defend herself and she's just resting peacefully. And we get people – if we can even call them that – doing this."

It is not the first time graves at the cemetery have fallen victim to vandals.

In 2018, families were left devastated after ornaments and memorials were smashed.

David Slate, whose daughter’s grave was among those targeted, said at the time that he was considering installing his own camera.

Meanwhile, in 2010 vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they destroyed tributes and fencing.

When contacted about the most recent spate of vandalism, Medway Council, which is in charge of maintaining the cemetery, said it was a matter for the police.

To sign Shannon's petition, click here.