'Gutter rat' thieves target family graves at Havelock North Cemetery

Nino D'Esposito with granddaughters Indy McCarthy and Bella D'Esposito next to the graves which have been hit by thieves. Photo / Warren Buckland

Thieves stealing mementoes and even pots and plants from Havelock North Cemetery have been labelled as "gutter rats" - as a family considers installing cameras to curb the ongoing problem.

The D'Esposito family says the thefts have been heartbreaking and added to their suffering after losing two family members in 2018 and 2019.

Step-brothers Daniel D'Esposito and Jason McCarthy are buried next to each other in the cemetery and their family members - including young daughters - often visit their headstones leaving behind mementoes and gifts.

Karina D'Esposito, whose son Jason died in 2019, said in recent months the family had noticed things going missing from the two headstones.

She said on at least three occasions pots and vases had been stolen as well as mementoes such as coloured stones, crystals, signs and ornaments.

"It's just sick. Those things have been placed there by their daughters and their family members because they mean something," she said.

"Our loved ones that have passed have a right to rest in peace."

Havelock North Cemetery has been hit by thieves. Photo / Warren Buckland

She said she could not fathom who would do such a thing and said it should not fall on families to avoid putting items on headstones.

"Why can't people actually put things [at the cemetery] without having to worry about them being stolen," she said.

"We are considering getting our own cameras up there."

She said she had spoken to the council about the issue and said a council worker claimed it was sadly a common problem.

She said at first they thought it must be kids taking goods but even heavy, granite pots had gone missing.

"Surely kids could not take those away. [The thieves] have just lifted those and carried them away."

Karina said she did not doubt the problem was also affecting other families at the cemetery.

Nino D'Esposito with granddaughters Indy McCarthy (left) and Bella D'Esposito next to the graves. Photo / Warren Buckland

However, a Hastings District Council spokeswoman said apart from this incident, they had not received any reports of items being stolen during the past year at the council's cemeteries.

She said they did not have any CCTV cameras at Havelock North Cemetery.

"It is a public place for our community members to go and we ask people to respect what is there," she said.

She did not say whether there were plans to install council-controlled cameras at the cemetery.

Nino D'Esposito, whose son Daniel is buried at the cemetery next to Jason, said his family had been suffering enough without these "gutter rats" stealing items.

"Please return our special mementoes taken from our boys' headstones," he said.

"My family has been through enough, please let our sons rest in peace.

"This is so cruel and heartbreaking to my family."