Sint-Niklaas (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Thieves stole bronze items, including crucifixes by Robert Vande Velde, from a Sint-Niklaas cemetery. Alderman Sofie Herman reported the break-in, police are investigating and enhancing security measures
Over the night from Saturday to Sunday, some graves were broken into, and thieves stole bronze busts, name plaques, and other religious items. They got into the cemetery by breaking a fence and took valuable things from the graves. This has upset the families of the people buried there because their loved ones’ resting places were disturbed. The stolen items were important both personally and historically, leaving the community angry and worried.
What actions are being taken to address the cemetery theft in Sint-Niklaas?
According to Alderman Sofie Herman, a neighbor saw the break-in and quickly called the police, but the thieves had already left. An investigation is now happening, and the authorities want people to report any suspicious activity that could help find the stolen items. Carl Claes, who helps clean the graves, feels very sad and frustrated about the loss, calling it a “crying shame” because the stolen items were valuable not just for their metal but also for their artistic and historical importance.
Among the stolen items were several crucifixes made by the famous Art Deco artist Robert Vande Velde, who was an important part of the Art Deco movement, and his works were valued by the community. Besides the crucifixes, large bronze plaques were also taken from some bluestone graves. Claes stressed the irreplaceable impact of these items on both the families of the deceased and the cultural heritage of the area. The recent theft of bronze items from the cemeteries in Sint-Niklaas is being called a tragedy. Officials note that similar thefts have occurred in other churchyards, suggesting a need for better protection of these sites. One alderman stated that replacing the stolen bronze with replicas would not be practical and questioned the effectiveness of installing cameras. Discussions are ongoing with the police about increasing patrols in the area to enhance security.
