Metal theft on cemeteries: stolen good and growing worries

Metal theft on cemeteries: stolen good and growing worries

In recent years, the reports on metal thefts have been increasing in cemeteries in Baden-Württemberg. Criminal groups are targeting grave decorations such as statues, vases and bronze boards - regardless of whether it is made of bronze, copper or other valuable metals. This type of theft not only brings material damage, but also emotional stress for the relatives of the deceased.

The incidents have accepted alarming proportions in various regions of the country. In early August, a large bronze Madonnafiguren was stolen in the Alb-Donau district, while a bronze horse sculpture disappeared in Ochsenhausen a few weeks earlier. The Situation in Sandhausen is particularly worrying, where Dieben stole bronze grave jewelry from 60 graves. The police estimate the financial damage in Achern on a medium five -digit amount after copper objects of almost 40 graves have been stolen. In Bretten, too, the thefts are described as unprecedented.

damage in five -digit amounts

Tobias Pehle, managing director of the curatorium's intangible inheritance of cemetery culture, continues that these are often well -organized gangs that are specifically preparing for the thefts. "The thieves go into the material," explains Pehle, describing that these raids are often planned with military precision. This leaves those affected in a feeling of helplessness, since the graves are a place of personal commemoration for many families.

The social dimension of the thefts

These thefts are more than just material losses; You hit the relatives deep into the heart. Ultimately, cemeteries are cultural areas that require respectful handling. Pehle emphasizes that the emotional damage to the bereaved is often greater than the financial. "If you would break into a museum, the outcry would be much larger," he says. Many agree that cemeteries also have to be better protected.

The statistics on cemetery thefts show that these crimes occur regionally. In Mannheim, over 80 cases were registered in 2023, while the Offenburg police headquarters only reported single -digit figures. The State Criminal Police Office has also found that the total number of thefts has remained relatively constant in the past five years, which underlines the meaning of the topic.

Herbert Schneider, the chairman of the association of the cemetery administrator, expresses that the ideal damage for relatives should not be underestimated. It is not just a question of financial loss; It is about access to a peaceful place of memory that can be destroyed by such crimes. In order to counter this problem, measures such as alarm systems or access controls are being considered, but at its core the question remains: How can you protect the human dimension of commemoration to the deceased and at the same time ensure that cemeteries remain accessible to everyone? The challenges are as diverse as the stories of the people who are looking for a place of peace here.