Woman confesses to theft of dozens of objects in cemetery

Tips via the local police officer led the police to the woman of around 50 with a sickly urge. The woman also committed acts in cemeteries in Menen and Dadizele.

Police investigation

“After a targeted police investigation, a total of 47 objects were found,” says the municipality of Wevelgem.

“Ten of these have already been returned to their rightful owners. The police will soon place the other objects on www.ietswijt.be so that they also return to their rightful owners. If the citizen recognizes his memento, he can leave his details in one of the commissions and an appointment is made to pick up the object,” says the municipality.

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Cameras

“About a year ago, more and more reports came in about thefts at the cemeteries,” says the municipality of Wevelgem.

“The municipality then decided to temporarily install two cameras at the cemetery in Moorselestraat. A pilot project was previously run in Gullegem in 2020 after a wave of reports. That project was evaluated favorably and was therefore already being followed up.

In the meantime, there is a structural decision regarding the use of cameras. This autumn there will be two movable, fixed cameras in the fight against litter and illegal dumping, but they will also be used in a targeted manner at the cemeteries. The municipality bought it itself. Until then, the municipality can use movable cameras.”

Dissuasive effect

“In the first place, this should create a dissuasive effect and deter people with bad intentions. Naturally, the images can also be used to determine crimes and track down the perpetrators,” says alderman for Civil Affairs Kevin Defieuw.

“We are therefore extremely pleased that we can return a number of items to the rightful owners. They are more than just items. They often concern mementos with a special emotional value or memory.”