Heartless Thieves Steal Over 100 Memorial Plaques from Bolton Crematorium
Police have launched a hunt for what authorities are calling "disgusting" thieves who stole hundreds of memorial plaques from the gardens at a crematorium in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Staff at Overdale Crematorium discovered the theft upon arriving for work on Monday morning, finding 114 metal plaques commemorating loved ones had been removed, leaving bereaved families and friends devastated.
Timeline of the Crime
The theft occurred sometime between 6pm on Friday, April 10, and 7am on Monday, April 13. Bolton Council reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police, who are now investigating. This latest crime follows a similar overnight theft in July 2024, when more than 800 memorial plaques were stolen from the same crematorium. Over the past two years, more than 900 plaques have been taken from the site.
Location and Significance
The plaques, situated along pathways at Overdale Crematorium adjacent to Heaton Cemetery, honour lives lost and hold deep emotional significance for families. The crematorium is owned and operated by Bolton Council, which has condemned the theft as particularly heartless given the personal nature of the memorials.
Material Value and Motive
Council officials believe the plaques were stolen for scrap metal, despite being made of gunmetal, which has considerably less value than brass or other metals. A council statement explained: "Council officers believe that even though the plaques are made of gunmetal, which is very low value compared with brass and other metals, the thieves may try to sell them to scrap metal merchants."
Legal Hurdles for Thieves
However, tighter regulations governing scrap metal dealers make selling stolen plaques difficult. Anyone supplying scrap to a merchant must provide photo identification and a bank account, as cash payments are illegal. These measures are designed to prevent exactly this type of crime.
Impact on Families
A council spokesperson expressed outrage: "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."
Replacement Process
The council has established procedures for affected families. Anyone who discovers their plaque is missing should report it to the Overdale Crematorium office or contact them at 01204 334499. The service will help replace missing plaques as soon as possible.
Ongoing Investigation
Bolton Council is working closely with police to identify those responsible. Authorities are encouraging anyone who believes their loved one's memorial has been stolen to come forward to discuss replacements while the investigation continues.
