A MOTHER has started a petition calling for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to install CCTV in local cemeteries after her son’s grave was vandalised.

Claire Ridgers started the petition after her son’s grave was ‘targeted’ by vandals who stole toy, flowers and caused damage to the grave.

The petitions reads: “My name is Claire I am a mother to three beautiful boys. My eldest son is called Leo who was born sleeping in 2017.

“Leo is a very much loved little boy and he still big part of our family Leo still get treated the same as his other brothers Oscar, three, and Theodore, two.

"We take presents to Leo’s grave at Christmas and birthdays and other toys during the year we still have birthday cake for him for him I guess this my way of coping and keeping Leo’s memory alive.

“Leo would now be four his grave has been targeted [and someone has] taken his flowers from his grave, stolen his toys and damaged some of his things around his grave.”

In the heart wrenching post the mother of three revealed she has been forced to discuss the possibility of exhumation with the police and local cemetery.

But Claire believes installing CCTV would be a simpler and less painful solution to the problem.

“I don’t see my why son should have [to consider] exhumation, this has been discussed with the police and local cemetery. Mentally and emotionally I can not do this to Leo or myself.

“If the local cemetery had CCTV this would prevent and even catch the individual or individuals doing this. Please sign this petition and allow Leo and other babies and people in the cemetery to rest in peace.”

Claire ended the emotional post by thanking everyone for their support and saying “Leo Ridgers-Smith I won’t ever stop fighting for you”.

The petition on Change.org has received 70 signatures in just six hours.