Raid on burial ground statues is grave matter

The statues, adorning the burial site of Sir James Steel, and a large 4ft by 4ft urn were stolen in a raid on Dean Cemetery.

Police are keeping an open mind over the motive for the "callous and despicable" thefts, but cemetery superintendent John Duffy suggested the metal items may have been stolen to order.

"It's disgraceful and very sad that people would do something like this," he said. "The cemetery has many characters of historical importance buried here but the lions in particular stand out and I would think they were stolen because of their attractiveness."

Mr Duffy said he understood that the twin lion figures had previously been stolen in the 1970s but were quickly recovered, and he is hoping for a similar resolution this time.

"The grave is situated in a very prominent part of the cemetery so hopefully somebody has further information which will help police track them down," he said.

"It's often said some people will steal anything that isn't nailed down but this was nailed down."

The stolen lions flanked a bust of the late Provost Steel, who presided over the installation of the Edinburgh cable tramways during his tenure from 1900 to 1903. He died a year after relinquishing his post. The large lion figures, designed by JS Rhind, were added in 1906.

It is understood the metal urn was mounted in 1935 to commemorate cattle merchant James Charles Johnston and his wife Francis.

Police believe the three stolen items were all cast from the same metal but have so far failed to determine which type. Edinburgh historian Hamish Coghill has suggested that they may be bronze.

"In Victorian times there was a tendency to have elaborate grave stones and markings in tribute to respected people," he said. "Large statues were often bronze."

Sector Inspector Ian Davis, part of the investigating team, said it was likely more than one suspect was involved in the cemetery raid, which took place between 4.55pm on Friday, July 16, and 4pm on Sunday, July 18.

"Something like this is very uncommon in Edinburgh," he said. "It is a callous and despicable act and shows no respect for the dead or the memorials they have targeted."

Inspector Davis added that cutting equipment would be required to detach each object from its plinth and a van or flatbed truck would have been used to transport the heavy items.

"It was a very clean removal," he said. "The metal pins at the base of each statue were cut and the item removed whole."

A police spokesperson said: "It must have been noisy when the metal fittings were being cut, and must have attracted some attention.

"In light of this, we would appeal for anyone who was in the area, and who may have seen something suspicious at the cemetery over the course of the weekend, to contact police.

"In addition, we would like to hear from anyone who may recognise or have seen these highly unusual items since they were stolen."