A GRIEF-STRICKEN mum hopes thieves who stole from her baby's grave get their hands "chopped off".

Mechelle Thompson's son Cain David died from a congenital heart condition in January last year, when he was just nine days old.

Since then, Mrs Thompson has carefully tended his grave in Eltham Cemetery, Riefield Road, Eltham, every day.

The 37-year-old was left devastated last week when she arrived at Cain's grave to discover a number of Noddy cars and a white toy limousine had been taken.

She said: "I thought Cain would be able to rest in peace.

"I can't decorate his bedroom so this is the next best thing.

"Parents decorate the graves as a way of coping with their grief. I call it Cain's little garden. It's beautiful.

"There are lots of ornaments and flowers there."

Now Mrs Thompson, of Bedonwell Road, Belvedere, is calling on cemetery owner Greenwich Council to improve security.

The mum-of-five says thefts there are rife, with each one of the 21 graves of babies having toys taken from them at some point during the past year.

She said: "I want more security. This kind of thing should not be happening."

Speaking about the thieves, she added: "I hope their hands get chopped off.

"The culprits have no idea what they have done."

Mrs Thompson suspects the thieves could be schoolchildren from Crown Woods School, Riefield Road, Eltham.

She added: "I think the schoolkids are a very strong possibility.

"The groundsman always sees them playing football.

"I just hope any parent who reads this article and recognises my son's toys will bring them back."

Crown Woods headteacher Michael Murphy said: "This is intolerable and uncivil behaviour.

"I have discussed the issues involved with the students in assembly."

He added: "I have also assured the cemetery if any of our pupils are acting inappropiately they should contact me immediately and I will deal with the pupils severely."

Greenwich police have confirmed they are investigating and say the crime is an offence which can carry a six-month prison sentence or a fine of up to £2,000.

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "The council appreciates when this happens it is extremely distressing for the families.

"As a result of these incidents we have organised a number of additional security patrols."