A gang of grave robbers are terrorizing an iconic Greater Manchester cemetary, desecrating a number of memorials and snatching religious statues left by loved ones in Manchester – including one of Jesus.
The thieves targeted Southern Cemetery on Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, between June 11 and August 7 and stole six statues.
The first incident happened between June 11 and June 13 when a statue was unscrewed from a grave causing damage in the process.
A few weeks later a 20 inch statue of Our Lady was stolen followed by a statue of Jesus and a statue of rosary beads between July 1 and July 3 with two more incidents at the beginning of August.
Police Constable Simon Coates, said: “This is grave robbing, pure and simple.
“These graves belong to someone’s partner, parent or child and it is appalling that they have been targeted in this way.
“Visiting a loved one at the graveside is upsetting enough without having to deal without callous thieves desecrating them and stealing from them in order to make a quick buck.
“I would urge people to be mindful of these offences, to be vigilant if visiting and report anything suspicious to police.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4973, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: It was not necessarily men who stole the statues – this was only used in the headline for effect. Please contact police with any information, thanks.]
Picture courtesy of Keturah Stickann via Flickr, with thanks.
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