A Farnworth resident has been left feeling ‘absolutely sick’ after her brother’s memorial stone and plaque was taken from Overdale Crematorium.
Lindsey Danby and her niece visited the crematorium two weeks ago to find memorial plaques had been stolen.
Lindsey’s niece, Caitlin, lost her father – Lindsey’s brother – when she was just three years old. He died aged 38, just 15 days after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
Lindsey, whose parents also have memorials at the crematorium, said she noticed some plaques had been placed in a pile and some had ‘totally gone’ when the pair visited together.
After reporting the incident, Lindsey went back two weeks later to find her brother’s stone missing, with memorial plaques on the stones in front of her parents’ memorial bench gone.
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Lindsey said: “I have a plaque on the bench, and they’ve tried to wrench that off the bench too, it must be a crowbar.
“It’s all over, it’s disgusting – they probably got a few quid from the scrap man, whatever they’re doing with it.
“Sick, absolutely sick I felt; so upset. It’s disgusting, really. My brother died in 2006, so it’s been there since 2006.
“I lost my mother in 2003, so my dad had a bench made with her name on it, and then sadly three years later my brother died, so the bench became our special place, especially for his daughter, Caitlin.
“She lives in Sunderland, which was his family home. She comes down here when she can to put flowers down and to see her dad, really.”
Lindsey wants to see increased camera coverage at the crematorium, and the thieves brought to justice.
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She added: “I hope their day comes, I hope they get caught. They must know somebody that’s laid to rest there – I have no words, I simply have no words.
“I’ve brought home my mum and dad’s stone. They’re currently sat on the bench in the kitchen at the minute. Until I can make a little garden of rest myself, this is where they’ll be staying.
“Overdale has said they will replace my brother’s stone and when that’s made they’ve said his daughter can kindly take it back to Sunderland and make her own little garden up there.
“I had to ring her the other night and tell her that her dad’s stone had gone missing. She was absolutely devastated, as you could imagine.”
Residents encouraged to report incidents
Speaking to The Bolton News, Heaton & Lostock councillor Andy Morgan encouraged residents to report incidents to the police.
He added: “To the people who are stealing it, I just think you need to get a life because I can’t believe anybody would steep so low to steal metal plaques from memorial stones.
“If you are caught then the full force of the law should be thrown at you and you should be sentenced accordingly, because it’s completely and utterly inappropriate what you’re doing.”
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Sadly, some metal plaques were stolen from stones at Overdale Crematorium toward the end of last year. The matter was passed to Greater Manchester Police.
“We know this will be distressing for those affected. Anyone who finds their plaque is missing can contact the crematorium on 01204 334499”.
Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for a comment.
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or text or WhatsApp on 07517566383.
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