Kurri Kurri: Thieves, vandals target Coalfields graves belonging to babies and young children

A Kurri Kurri grandmother is appalled the gravesite of her seven-month-old grandson has been targeted four times in the past fortnight.

Coalfields cemetery, Kurri Kurri, which is continually being targeted by thieves and drunken vandals. Supplied.

THIEVES and drunken vandals are targeting graves belonging to babies and young children at a Coalfields cemetery, even stealing small toys lovingly left on sites to keep them company.

Kurri Kurri resident Kathy Hungerford said the gravesite belonging to her seven-month-old grandson Hayden had been targeted four times in the past fortnight.

It included more than a dozen toy trucks which had been placed on sand above the grave for Hayden and his young cousins, who visited the grave almost weekly.

Kathy Hungerford and Darren Mason at the gravesite off their grandson Hayden Frost, who died in 2017 aged just seven months. Supplied.

Baby Hayden Frost, who is buried at Kurri Kurri Cemetery after succumbing to an illness at just seven months old. Supplied.

“I put them there on Sunday and when I got here on Monday morning they were gone,’’ Ms Hungerford said.

“Why take the toys. It makes no sense and is so disrespectful,’’ Ms Hungerford said.

“There are so many graves belonging to babies and little kids that are being targeted.

“The beer cans and discarded bottles are enough. But having a go at the gravesites is just low.’’

Ms Hungerford said a council spokesperson told her that the Hospital Road cemetery was a public place and not much could be done.

Police have promised more patrols of the area, especially at night.

Baby Hayden Frost's gravesite with the trucks taken on Sunday January 3. Supplied.

Baby Hayden Frost's gravesite after toy trucks had been stolen on Monday January 4. Supplied.

But Ms Hungerford and her partner Darren Mason believe more should be done.

Hayden Frost's extended family at the Kurri Kurri Cemetery. Supplied.

Mr Mason, who doted over Hayden for his seven months before he died in 2017 from an illness he had battled since birth, remained angry over the theft and lack of respect.

“It’s disgusting that people don’t have respect for people that have passed,’’ Mr Mason said.

“It is a place of mourning and to reflect the life they led.

“To do this to a child’s grave is even more disturbing and upsetting that our children cannot interact with their sibling and cousin when we come to pay our respects.’’

The family have urged anyone who knows information to contact authorities.