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A cruel thief was caught on camera stealing 51 roses left by a widower to his beloved late wife, just 24 hours after her funeral.

Grieving Maurice Powell, 75, had laid a rose for every year of marriage to sweetheart Sandra, 70, following her cremation at Robin Hood Cemetery, in Solihull.

But when the pensioner returned the following day he was devastated to learn the flowers had been stolen - with the brazen thief caught on CCTV, reports the Birmingham Mail.

In the shocking footage the well-dressed and middle-aged woman is seen on camera walking around a memorial square at the Solihull crematorium looking at the flowers on display.

She eventually scoops down and snatches the roses, before walking off with them.

The theft took place at 3.30pm on July 19. The dark-haired woman was wearing a white top and trousers.

West Midlands police are appealing for anyone who recognises the woman, who was wearing a scarf, to come forward. A spokesman said: “The theft of 51 red roses from a grave at a Solihull cemetery was reported to police on 19 July. The report is being progressed and enquiries continue.”

Maurice, from Hall Green, had been left devastated by the theft. He said: “I can’t understand why anyone would do this. How low can some people get? It doesn’t say much about society.”

The dad-of-two said his wife has been “very bubbly, a lovely woman.”

“She put up a lot with me. I was the lucky one, I always told her I used all my luck up the day I met her,” added the retired Navy man.

After the theft, the only thing left behind was Maurice’s poignant memorial card, which read: “One for every year since you became my bride, now I close my eyes and dream of times when we walked side by side.”

Maurice plans to scatter his wife’s ashes on August 7 - her birthday.

Robin Hood Cemetery has denounced the theft and pledged to work with police to track down the culprit. A spokesperson said: “It is difficult to understand why anyone would want to steal from the cemetery and show such complete disregard for someone mourning the loss of a loved one. We do have CCTV at the cemetery and will support police to investigate the incident.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.