Overview
- Staff arriving Monday found 114 plaques missing from Overdale Crematorium after a weekend theft between 6pm Friday and 7am Monday.
- Bolton Council reported the crime to Greater Manchester Police, which has launched an investigation and a search for suspects.
- Officials say the plaques are made of low‑value gunmetal and note scrap dealers must check photo ID and pay by bank transfer, which could hinder resale.
- Families have been left heartbroken as pathways in the memorial gardens now show empty spaces where tributes long visited by relatives once sat.
- The site suffered a larger raid in July 2024 that took more than 800 plaques, bringing the total stolen to over 900 in nearly two years, according to the council.