The thefts have brought the total of plaques stolen from the memorial gardens at Overdale Crematorium in Heaton 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 said: “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.

More than 100 plaques are believed to have been stolen (Image: Bolton Council)

“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 on Tuesday July 30, 2024 when more than 800 memorial plaques appeared to have been taken from the gardens overnight.

Council officers believe though the plaques are made of gunmetal, 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 selling the plaques much more difficult.

 Anyone supplying scrap to a merchant must provide photo ID and a bank account, given that payment in cash is illegal.

Council officials have appealed for anyone who finds that a plaque dedicated to one of their loved appears to be missing to report the matter to the Overdale Crematorium office.

They can also contact the office by calling on 01204 334499, and the council says that the service there will help to replace the missing plaque as soon as possible.