Payneham grave smash, grab

Kate Jenkinson

19May08

HEADSTONES were smashed and brass pots and a statue were stolen from the Payneham Cemetery in a second vandalism outrage last week by metal thieves. 

Up to 30 brass items were prised from headstones, leaving some smashed.

A 70cm solid brass statue of Madonna and Child was removed from one memorial on Tuesday, May 13, cemetery horticulturist Paul Aho said.

``We've recovered three or four (brass pots)  someone must have scared them off because they dropped them,'' he said.

Payneham and Dudley Park Cemeteries Trust general manager Ron Bawden said it was the second time in two months that the cemetery had been hit.

``It is a bit disappointing to see this happening,'' he said.

``It is extremely hard for the families who put a lot of time and effort into choosing these things.''

Mr Bawden said the last time the cemetery was hit, only two or three bronze vases were stolen.

Adelaide LSA Detective Chief Inspector John Gerlach branded the theft and vandalism a ``low act''.

He said the theft of precious metals to be resold as scrap metal was a statewide problem.

``It appears that is what has happened here  we have certainly been paying attention to it.''

Insp Gerlach said police would keep in close contact with scrap metal businesses and he appealed to the public with information about the vandalism to call BankSA Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000.

The attack occurred just as Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council was about to start tours of the cemetery for History Week.

NP&SP heritage officer Denise Schumann said the tours would carry on regardless.