"Disgusting" cold-hearted scrap metal thieves have stolen 114 memorial plaques after shamelessly raiding a town's crematorium. Last weekend's thefts have brought the total of plaques stolen from the memorial gardens at Overdale Crematorium in Heaton, Bolton, in Greater Manchester, to more than 900.
Bolton Council staff who care for the memorial gardens say they discovered the theft of 114 metal plaques early on the morning of Monday, April 13. A council spokesperson fumed: "This is a disgusting crime, and it is difficult to believe anyone could sink to the level of stealing plaques commemorating loved ones from a memorial garden.
"Some of them mean a great deal to people and have been visited regularly for decades, meaning people will be heartbroken to find them missing.
"The council is working with the police to identify those responsible and anyone who believes their loved one's memorial has been stolen is encouraged to get in touch to discuss a replacement."
The 114 memorial plaques are believed to have been stolen at some point between 6pm on Friday and 7am on Monday.
Council officials say they have raised the matter with Greater Manchester Police, who are now investigating.
The latest suspected theft comes nearly two years after an incident in 2024 when more than 800 memorial plaques were taken from the gardens overnight.
Council officers believe that, though the plaques are made of gunmetal, which is of very low value compared with brass and other metals, suspected thieves may try to sell them to scrap metal merchants.
But tighter rules governing scrap metal dealers make it much more difficult to sell the plaques.
Anyone supplying scrap to a merchant must provide photo ID and a bank account, as cash payments are illegal.
Council officials have appealed for anyone who finds that a plaque dedicated to one of their loved ones appears to be missing to report the matter to the Overdale Crematorium office.
The Express has contacted Greater Manchester Police for a statement and any updates on their investigation.
