Brass vases are stolen from graves

Metal thieves have stolen up to 100 vases from gravesides at a crematorium in the latest crimewave cashing in on soaring scrap prices.

Devastated relatives are now being forced to buy cheap plastic or aluminium replacements for fear that their loved ones' graves may be targeted.

Officers are expected to visit scrapyards in the area to check for the brass items stolen from Bushbury Crematorium in Wolverhampton.

The thefts have been happening at the 40-acre site since the start of the month, all of them at night.

Metal thefts have soared in the region in recent years, with construction booms in the Far East sending prices for steel and copper rocketing.