War memorials and church stripped of brass plaques and bells by metal thieves
A brass bell was stolen from St Peter's Anglican Church at Mallala, adding to a wave of thefts targeting war memorial plaques across South Australia as thieves seek valuable scrap metal.
Thieves stole a brass bell from St Peter's church in Mallala between October 2 and 8. The theft follows removal of plaques from war memorials at Rose Park and Tranmere.
More than 80 brass plaques were also taken from graves at Quorn Cemetery earlier this year. Police think the stolen items are being sold to scrap dealers who don't check where they come from.
Police Minister Michael Brown said anyone stealing memorial items to sell for scrap is scum. Veterans Affairs Minister Chris Picton said he was disgusted by the damage.
Authorities are considering tighter laws to restrict the sale of stolen scrap metal.
- St Peter's Anglican Church, Mallala
- Location
- October 2 to October 8
- Theft window
- More than 80 from Quorn Cemetery
- Cemetery plaques stolen
Why it mattersMetal thieves are destroying irreplaceable community and historical assets; action on scrap metal sales controls may slow the thefts.
AustraliaSouth Australian communities are losing pieces of their history; state government is considering new laws to restrict stolen scrap metal sales across the state.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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