Appeal to relatives after memorial plaques stolen from Telford cemetery
The search is on for relatives of more than 40 people whose memorial plaques were stolen from a Telford cemetery last month.
About 100 plaques were stolen from a wall at Wellington cemetery and now Telford & Wrekin Council is trying to find enough details to replace them.
And the crimebusting SmartWater detection system, which is made in Telford, will be used to try to prevent a repeat of the theft.
The 100 plaques dedicated to residents' loved ones were taken from a memorial wall in the Garden of Remembrance at the Linden Avenue cemetery.
About half the plaques were recovered as part of the police investigation into the theft but only 25 have survived undamaged. A man has been arrested and bailed pending further investigation.
The council also has sufficient information to replace another 32 plaques.
Many of the 6ins x 4ins plaques have been in place since the 1970s and 1980s. Telford & Wrekin Council's register office was made aware of the theft on March 7.
Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for customer services, said: "This was an extremely distressing theft and we are doing everything we can to restore the plaques.
"However, we don't have a comprehensive list or details of the more historic plaques so we are asking anyone who thinks their family's plaque was stolen to get in touch."
Councillor Rhodes added: "When we put out the appeal at the time of the theft, we were contacted by people from as far afield as Canada and France who used to live locally so we are hopeful that we will trace more people this time as well."
Before all the plaques are put back in place at the Garden of Remembrance, they will be marked with SmartWater to further protect them from any future thefts.
SmartWater will assign the plaques with their own forensic code, so they can be traced if stolen, while the thief can be linked with the crime.
Once applied, SmartWater is almost impossible to remove and can only be seen under UV light.
An increasing number of scrap metal dealers are checking for SmartWater and refusing to handle anything that is marked with the traceable liquid.
SmartWater chief executive Phil Cleary said: "The theft of memorial plaques is a despicable act, and we are therefore pleased that we can assist Telford & Wrekin Council to combat this type of crime.
"The use of SmartWater has aided hundreds of convictions and maintains a 100 per cent conviction rate in court."
Relatives concerned that their loved one's plaque may have been stolen or who notice that their family plaque is missing should contact the council on 01952 382444 or email register.office@telford.gov.uk - a replacement will be arranged at no cost to the customer.
Have you been affected by the thefts? Contact reporters on 01952 241423 or email ketley.newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk
