[MSN] Cold-hearted thieves have plundered nearly 600 brass memorial plaques worth around UKP 24, 000 from a Swansea churchyard.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

THIEVES STEAL 600 MEMORIAL PLAQUES
Date : 24.12.07
 
Cold-hearted thieves have plundered nearly 600 brass memorial plaques worth
around £24,000 from a Swansea churchyard.

The raid has devastated bereaved city families who turned up at St Thomas
Church to remember lost loved ones over Christmas.

Its vicar, Rev Andrew Meredith, branded the theft "callous and desperate"
and has also dubbed the church's insurers Scrooges for refusing to pay for
replacements.

"We are stunned and appalled that people can be so utterly heartless," he
said.

"It's a pretty despicable thing to do at any time, but at Christmas it's
even worse."

Police are investigating and have appealed for information about the theft.

Superintendent Julian Williams, head of Policing in Swansea North, said:
"This is a crime that has been committed by cruel and thoughtless person or
persons; to remove plates that have been dedicated to lost loved ones is
despicable."

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/