Wooden Memorial Cross Stolen from Graveyard

Case information
Incident date
Country
United Kingdom
Place
Broadhempston
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Theft
Place of Incident
  • Cemetery
Bias Indicators
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Victim/Witness Perception
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated
Symbolic image; not a photograph of the reported incident.Image credit: Pixabay

A wooden memorial cross engraved was stolen from a church graveyard in Broadhempston, causing deep distress to his family and prompting a police appeal.

Between August 12 and the early hours of August 14, 2025, a wooden memorial cross with a brass plaque was stolen from a graveyard in Broadhempston, Devon. According to Sgt Alex Freeman of Devon and Cornwall Police, the theft has caused “significant distress” to Harrison’s family and friends, as the cross held deep sentimental value. Freeman emphasized that removing items from graves is “completely unacceptable” and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Sources