Arrest over theft of remembrance plaques at Telford cemetery
A man is to face court in connection with the theft of about 100 bronze memorial plaques from a Telford cemetery.
Kenneth William Hogg, 38, has been charged with handling stolen goods in connection with the theft of the plaques from Wellington cemetery.
He has been bailed to appear at Telford Magistrates Court on May 19.
Hogg, of Hurleybrook Way, Leegomery, was arrested in Oakengates on March 7, shortly after staff at the cemetery were made aware that about 100 of the plaques were missing.
About 50 were recovered, but some were damaged and had to be remade.
Telford & Wrekin Council issued an appeal to relatives who thought their loved ones' memorial might have been taken to get in touch so that the 50 missing plaques could also be replaced.
Charlotte Dade, spokeswoman for the council, said about 70 of the 100 plaques would be reinstated at the garden of remembrance this summer.
About 25 were recovered in a good enough condition to be reused, and a specialist company is now making replacements for another 40-45.
Several relatives responded to a plea for information about the people remembered on the plaques, and council is still appealing for relatives of the remaining 20-25 to get in touch so they too can be replaced.
Many of the 6ins x 4ins plaques have been in place since the 1970s and 1980s.
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, which was invented in Telford, assigns property with a unique forensic code, so it can be traced if stolen. SmartWater also leaves a trace on the thief, which can be used as evidence in court.
