Grave robbers steal Frankston cemetery plaques 'to sell for scrap metal'

CANBERRA (Scrap Monster): Dozens of plaques have been stripped from graves in Melbourne's south-east by people who want to sell them for scrap metal, police believe.

Last week, 48 plaques were taken from the Frankston cemetery.

Up to 15 of the graves belong to war veterans and the damage bill for loved ones is expected to be about $24,000.

Police are hunting whoever removed the plaques, urging scrap metal dealers to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

"If someone is trying to palm off grave plaques, you can bet they didn't come by them lawfully," Detective Senior Constable Mark Garrett said.

"Realistically, they would probably only get around $10 for each plaque."

Police said most of vandalism occurred in the cemetery's north-east corner.

"This incident would be incredibly upsetting for the families whose loved ones' graves have been vandalised and we're working hard to find those responsible."

The City of Frankston is boosting security at the cemetery in response to the thefts.

The council's chief executive, Dennis Hovenden, said overnight security patrols will be increased and security cameras may be installed.

"These people need to be caught, they need to be stopped and the community are quite rightly outraged," he said.

Courtesy: www.abc.net.au