A DISTRAUGHT widow has pleaded for the return of her husband’s will after thieves struck while she was visiting his grave.

Beraet Tahsin, 65, of Hever Gardens, Bickley, whose husband died on May 22, was devastated after discovering his personal documents had been taken from a friend’s van in Grove Park Cemetery.

The van was left unlocked while she said prayers at his grave.

Mrs Tahsin said: “You do not expect this to happen in a sacred place.” Among the items taken were her husband’s passport, death certificate, will and savings account book, along with her cheque book, pension book, keys and £1,300 in cash to pay for the funeral.

Her husband, who was known by his surname Tahsin, died of leukaemia aged 67.

Mrs Tahsin said: “I’m not sure if I’m alive or dead. When I found out I thought the whole cemetery was on my head. I started running around shouting. It was so unreal.

“I visit the grave every day. I had said my prayers and watered the plants there. I left my bag in the front seat of the van.

“What I’m hoping for is a kind-hearted person who knows something will come forward.

“I’ve no hope of getting the money but without the papers I can’t do anything.” The incident follows a spate of thefts at the cemetery in recent years.

Mrs Tahsin’s daughter Seran, 42, of Slades Drive, Chislehurst, said: “I’m appalled. Having lost my dad I decided it was a nice cemetery, really well kept, where I could find some kind of solace.

“Today, while I was there, I wondered who would stop someone jumping out and mugging me.

“These people have no conscience. It’s disgusting to do that to someone who is bereaved.” A Lewisham police spokesman called the crime, which took place on June 24, “despicable”.

He added: “Unfortunately some of our local inhabitants are very opportunist.”