Family’s distress over theft of memorial plaque for Bricket Wood man
Frances Smith with her daughter Bryony holding the plaque for Jonathan - Credit: Archant
A DISTRESSED mother is appealing for information after her late son’s memorial plaque was stolen earlier this month.
Frances Smith, of Park Street, had a bronze plaque mounted and placed under a winter flowering tree with her son Jonathan’s ashes in Smug Oak Green, Bricket Wood, two years after he passed away from a stroke in 2006.
She chose the park as a resting place because of Jonathan’s love of the area: “He adored his life in Bricket Wood. He was at his happiest there and was very fond of that area.”
But her ex-husband noticed the plaque was gone on a recent trip to pay his respects to Jonathan and Frances believes it was kicked off: “We had it on a mount base and the screws are still there but they are over on one side. We looked around in the bushes to see if we could find it.
“Obviously it’s very distressing. It’s mindless criminal damage. I’m okay, but of course I’m upset.”
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The family plan on replacing the plaque but hold out hope someone may be able to shed some light on where the original one went, as Frances explained: “What would be good is if somebody had a conscience and found the plaque and put it back or handed it in somewhere.”
She added: “It’s extremely sad that this could have happened and in such a lovely place.”
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Pc Andy Shepherd said: “This kind of vandalism is shocking and disrespectful to the family of the man who died in 2006. We will not tolerate this behaviour.
“If anyone knows who may be responsible or has any information, we would like to hear from you so we can help a devastated mother find her son’s plaque.”
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the plaque, which was vandalised between August 2 and August 23, contact police on the non-emergency number 101.
