A GRIEF-STRICKEN mum has been left devastated after thieves stole her handbag while she visited her baby's grave.

Hayley Evans's bag contained her digital camera, which held treasured photographs of her son Riley, who died in December aged just 10 days old.

The 20-year-old is desperate to get the pictures back and has made an emotional plea for the return of the camera.

Hayley and her mother Tracey were visiting Riley's grave at Caverswall Cemetery on Sunday when thieves broke into their car and stole both their handbags.

Charity shop manager Tracey, aged 39, said: "We went to visit Riley's grave, and my mum's. At around 4pm I got some water, for the flowers we had taken, from a tap near to the car, and a yellow Ford Focus came up the drive.

"I went back to Riley's grave and a man and woman from the car went to a grave nearby.

"We then went to my mum's grave on a different side of the cemetery, and the couple were going back to the car.

"As I put my flowers down we heard our car alarm go off.

"Hayley ran to the car and the window had been smashed. Both our bags, which had been under the seat, had gone, and there was no sign of the car.

"I'm so angry, I can't believe someone could stoop so low as to do this at a cemetery, and on Mother's Day as well, which was hard for Hayley anyway."

Riley, who was Hayley's first child, was born four weeks early on November 29, weighing 4lb 9oz.

After five days in hospital he was allowed home, but on December 6 was readmitted. Tests showed his liver was not functioning properly and he needed a transplant.

On December 8 he was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital, but he died the next day.

Hayley, who lives with her mum at The Moat, Weston Coyney, said: "When they said he needed a transplant I was waiting and hoping, but he wasn't strong enough. It was heartbreaking.

"Because I didn't have him for very long sometimes I think 'Did I dream it?'

"Having the pictures of him made it real, they are irreplaceable.

"If anyone has the camera I would ask them to please let me have the photos back – they are the only thing that was taken that I care about."

Inspector Neil Sherratt, commander of Cheadle neighbourhood policing unit, said: "We have carried out inquiries and searched the police database for any crimes involving a car of that description, but that returned no matches.

"There are no trends in terms of thefts from vehicles in the area so it appears this was an opportunist theft.

"We are appealing for any witnesses who know of any suspicious activity involving a vehicle like the one described, or who have any information, to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Cheadle on 0300 123 4455.