More than 100 memorial plaques stolen from a cemetery at Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads have been located and reported to police.
A groundsman at the Tweed Heads Lawn and General Cemetery located the 102 plaques piled up and hidden behind barriers on the outer perimeter of the grounds late yesterday.
A check has revealed all plaques are accounted for, however, many of them have been damaged.
Police have been alerted and are continuing their investigations into the matter.
The plaques were first discovered missing from the lawn cemetery by Council staff early Tuesday morning, and police were immediately alerted.
Manager Inclusive and Creative Communities Shannon Carruth said staff were working hard to ease the concerns of affected families.
“Our first priority is to identify the names associated with the stolen plaques so that impacted families can be notified,” Ms Carruth said.
“Police have taken the plaques into evidence. Once returned, cemetery staff will assess the condition of the plaques and work with impacted families on next steps.”
Names of affected persons will be published on as soon as possible.