A north-east engraver is trying to protect grieving families from thieves – by telling them not to buy brass memorial plaques for their loved ones.
Steve Thornton runs the Sign Etch shop on Buckie’s High Street, and is taking a loss to his takings by urging people to purchase cheaper, plastic alternatives that are not so tempting to would-be thieves.
He says that the brass plates prove lucrative to thieves, and are routinely torn from benches and graves and sold to scrap merchants.
The sickening practice was highlighted earlier this week, when a family was left distraught after brass plates were prised from a grave at Fraserburgh’s Kirkton Cemetery.
Relatives of Helen Ledingham, whose resting place was vandalised, said they were left “disgusted”.
Mr Thornton has since offered to create a plastic replacement for the family, free of charge.
He said: “It pains me when upset people come into my shop looking for a plaque, many of them having just recently lost a loved one.
“I could make a fortune selling brass every time, but I know the people would be back in to tell me it has been stolen if it is to be displayed in a public place.
“I have lost count of how many have been taken over the years, so I don’t mind taking that hit.
“I encourage people to please go with plastic.”
The former RAF engineer said that he “believes in value for money”, and that it is morally wrong to encourage shoppers to buy the brass plates at upwards of £50 apiece.
He instead recommends they buy plastic panels which cost about £10.
Mr Thornton estimates that the brass versions are valued at about £5 by scrap vendors, but that thieves could make a tidy sum by collecting several of them.
Mr Thornton took over the Buckie High Street business 10 years ago, after leaving the services.
The plaque removed from the Fraserburgh cemetery had been attached to a short wall next to Mrs Ledingham’s burial plot, and was fixed there with screws and glue.
Her daughter, Carol Quirie, said she was “totally shocked” by its removal, and said the crime was “despicable”.
Police confirmed they were investigating the incident and last night a spokeswoman urged anyone with concerns should phone 101.
She said: “Any thefts from gravesides are understandably distressing for the friends and families involved, and such thoughtless crimes will not be tolerated.
“Police Scotland take any reports of thefts seriously and will investigate any concerns brought to our attention.”
