Lee Davison at the grave of his son Jack, from which toys have been stolen

A couple devastated by the loss of their three-day-old baby are furious after thieves stole toys and gifts from the youngster's grave.

Love tokens left on the first anniversary of little Jack Davison's death are among the items stolen from the tiny graveside.

Staff at York Cemetery were today forced to warn other mourners not to leave valuables in the memory of loved ones, admitting the "abhorrent" thefts were almost impossible to stop.

Jack's grave is a place of quiet contemplation where his family goes each week to mourn his tragically young death. Apart from a couple of snapshots of him in a hospital crib, the grave is the focus for the family's anguish.

"Visiting his grave is our way of grieving for our son, and we find it very comforting to go," said Jack's father, Lee.

"It's our way of showing how much we love him, and as he is no longer with us it's all we can do for him.

"Of course it is also very difficult for us to go there, but this appalling theft of presents we have left out of love for him makes it all so much more traumatic." Jack was born prematurely on January 8 last year and died three days later. Mr Davison, of Acomb, said: "As a paramedic I see trauma every day, but when it's this close to home nothing can prepare you for it."

The stolen items include stuffed toys, Christmas presents, windchimes and beads. Hugh Goudge, warden at the cemetery, said they were aware of the theft problem. They believe it was caused by visiting children.

"We are doing our best to combat these abhorrent thefts and have volunteers patrolling the site at weekends," he said.

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