A family member affected by the stealing of dozens of memorial plaques at a central Auckland cemetery urges the pieces to be returned.
St Andrew's Cemetery. Empty spaces where plaques have been removed can be seen. Photo: Supplied
About 75 bronze plaques have been stolen from St Andrew's Church in Epsom. The police said they believe they were stolen over the weekend.
People's warden at the church, Lesley Anderson, said she first found the plaques were missing while arrived for church on Sunday morning.
She said the plaques were from where the ashes were buried and her husband's plaque has also been stolen.
"I feel very sad because people have shown no respect. I don't think it matters what faith you are. A cemetery is a spiritual sacred place, or tapu...I think people should respect that and I don't understand people who can go and wilfully damage a spiritual place," she said.
Anderson said though people might have already sold the pieces to a scrap metal dealer, she hoped they can be returned.
"I would like people to return the plaques, but I would think it's too late for that...so that we can return them to their rightful place and their families," she said.
"I just hope people would stop and think when they are doing to other people when they do discreet in sacred spaces."
Area Commander for Auckland City West inspector Grant Tetzlaff said this was a disappointing incident for police to investigate.
"The offender, or offenders, in this matter have shown no respect for the families of those who are buried in the cemetery," he said.
"We urge anyone who may be approached to purchase the bronze plaques for scrap metal to report it to Police, given there are a large number that were stolen. Police also warn scrap metal dealers or any person that it is found to have received the stolen property that it is an offence to do so."
Anyone with information has been urged to contact the police.
