Plaques snatched in metal raids

Commemorative plaques have become the latest targets for metal thieves in the Black Country. Plaques in Smethwick and Tipton paying tribute to the pottery and chainmaking industries have been stolen.

Local history groups claim it is the latest in a spate of metal thefts blighting the area. A Millennium plaque, one of 10 erected by Smethwick's local history society has been stolen, along with a plaque from an anchor memorial paying tribute to the chainmakers of Tipton.

Ray Brothwood, chairman of Tipton Civic Society, noticed that the bronze plaque paying tribute to the chainmakers had gone missing last week.

He said: "The anchor outside the health centre in Owen Street had a plaque to mark the significance of the chainmaking industry in the area.

"What is really galling is that the plaque will only be worth about £4 or £5 for scrap whereas back in 2000 when we put it in it cost us £100.

"It would probably cost us £200 to replace it now and then it could just get stolen again.

"It is sad that it has come to this, but we shall probably have to replace it with a plastic one."

Mary Bodfish, chairman of Smethwick local history society, said: "The society provided 10 plaques to the town of Smethwick in 2000.

"Most are in hard-to-reach places and have been left alone but one in Oldbury Road, Smethwick has been taken.

"It was to commemorate Ruskin Pottery and William Howson Taylor who was the master potter there.

"We can only assume that it has been taken in order for the metal to be sold on and that is a real shame."

A campaign aimed at reducing the soaring numbers of metal thefts, which cost Sandwell Council alone more than £300,000 last year, has been launched.

Spiralling numbers of thefts have cost West Bromwich Town Hall £18,000 in repairs.

Poster warning about the thefts have been put up in schools and council buildings in Sandwell.