Memorials stolen from cemetery (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Memorials stolen from cemetery

9:32am Wednesday 29th August 2007 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

BEREAVED relatives have reacted with disgust to news that more than 100 memorial plaques have been stolen from Forest Park Crematorium and Cemetery.

Police received the first report of a theft from the cemetery in Forest Road, Hainault, on Friday, from a woman who found her father's plaque missing, and the reports kept coming in from relatives over the weekend.

John Hodgson, whose daughter, Isabelle, is among those whose plaques were stolen, said: "We went there with my wife and daughter to Isabelle's memorial on Sunday and then noticed that all the plaques had been taken all around. I don't think the police will catch these people. It's very upsetting for people who were there at the time.

"It's quite a new crematorium so people go there all the time. I will be extremely annoyed if these people get away with it."

The crematorium was only opened by Redbridge Council in February 2005 and was the first in London for more than 40 years. The 18 acre site is intended to provide the borough with enough burial space for the next 60 years.

Cemetery managing director Richard Evans said: "Our gatekeeper locked up as usual on Friday evening. On Saturday morning our groundsman discovered that the chain on the front gate had been broken.

"Forest Park Crematorium's first thoughts go to the families to which the memorials belonged. We will be giving all the assistance that we can to help get them replaced.

"This was a pointless crime, the value of the bronze stolen represents only a fraction of the cost of their replacement. While the bronze stolen would fetch no more than £100, the cost of restoring the damage runs into the region of £10,000."

The cemetery has set up an enquiries line on 8501 2236. Anyone with information should call Ilford police on 8478 1123.