Thieves steal bronze plaques from Croydon Crematorium
Thieves have stolen 66 bronze plaques from a south London crematorium to sell for scrap, a council has said.
Staff at Croydon Crematorium, located within Mitcham Road Cemetery, discovered the theft on Tuesday morning, Croydon Council said.
The council said securing the site, where 150 plaques were stolen in June, was "difficult".
All of the plaques had been removed and replaced after being daubed with "smart water" following the previous theft.
The local authority said the thieves targeted bronze plaques for their scrap value.
All of the remaining bronze plaques at the site have been removed again.
The council said it would be writing to the families whose plaques were stolen to give them the option of buying replacements of a lesser value at a reduced rate.
Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety, said: "Security at this site is difficult because it is so large and we aim to keep it open as much as possible so that those wishing to pay their respects can do so whenever they wish.
"These thefts are massively upsetting, and my personal feelings go out to the families concerned."