- Increase in Cemetery Metal Thefts observed in certain regions
Grab decorative items like trinkets, flower pots, figurines - main point is they're made from metals like copper or bronze. Metal poachers aren't just targeting construction sites or rail tracks, they're also swiping graveyard decorations in large quantities. Recently, a significant bronze Madonna figure was swiped in Emerkingen (Alb-Donau district), a bronze horse sculpture was nicked in Ochsenhausen (Biberach district) a few weeks prior, and in Sandhausen (Rhein-Neckar district), thieves made off with bronze grave decorations from 60 graves. Similar incidents took place in Achern (Ortenau district), with nearly 40 copper items being pilfered from graves at the end of August. Police estimate the damages to be in the five-figure range. Bretten in the Karlsruhe district also witnessed a large-scale grave decoration heist in August, leaving a spokesperson to remark it was "like nothing we've seen before in Bretten."
Huge monetary losses
Similar disastrous incidents occurred in the Kraichgau region, with bronze plaques from numerous war graves being pilfered in mid-August. A representative stated these plaques cost around 13,000 euros to install in 2006, and other bronze grave decorations were stolen at the same time. The total losses were around 18,000 euros. Cemeteries in Heidelberg faced a similar situation, with valuables like vases, statues, crosses, and lights worth around 50,000 euros being swiped in June. Other states are also in the crosshairs of these criminals - for instance, in Düsseldorf, eleven colossal bronze figures were stolen in mid-August, with the costs estimated to be in the six-figure range.
Wave-like thefts
These thefts tend to occur in waves, Tobias Pehle, managing director of the Kuratorium Immaterielles Erbe Friedhofskultur, noted. "It's a reality that's been ongoing for several years." Well-organized gangs drive these operations, often planning and executing them like a military mission. The robbers solely target the materials - iron, steel, copper, bronze, according to Pehle. For the victims, these incidents may cause distress and anger. "Essentially, all graves are the living rooms for our deceased ancestors, and then they're broken into, vandalized, and stolen."
Low recovery rate
Unfortunately, there's no exact count of such cemetery thefts as these crimes aren't recorded separately. As per statistics from the state criminal police office, there's been a consistent number of cases for about five years. In 2023, 402 thefts were documented, compared to 416 in the previous year. The recovery rate is quite low.
Police headquarters in various regions have different experiences with these incidents. For instance, the Mannheim police headquarters reported around 80 cases last year and 47 the year before. While the Ulm police headquarters recorded 42 thefts last year, significantly more than the previous year (28), the Offenburg police headquarters has reported single-digit figures in recent years. In contrast, the Karlsruhe police headquarters has recorded an increasing trend in case numbers for the current year, albeit at a lower level than in previous years.
Frequent and painful incidents
These incidents recur frequently, says Herbert Schneider, chairman of the Association of Cemetery Administrators. These thefts cause anguish not only to the bereaved but also to the cemetery as a place of gathering. "It's hard on people twice." Stephan Neuser, general secretary of the Federal Association of German Funeral Directors, also emphasized the significant emotional damage incurred by those affected.
Improving cemetery security?
Better cemetery security is complex, Schneider believes. While it's possible to lock gates, replace sculptures with duplicates, or install alarms, cemeteries are public places that should remain easily accessible to people. If burglars use tools like bolt cutters or angle grinders, locked gates prove relatively ineffective. "Then the locks are just broken too."
The bronze Madonna figure in Emerkingen was sadly stolen due to metal poaching, resulting in significant monetary losses. These wave-like thefts have also led to the swiping of valuables like vases and statues worth a considerable sum in Heidelberg cemeteries.
