New Holocaust Plaque laid in time for Memorial Day

Local community in Harlow shows that they will not be governed by thieves as new Holocaust plaque is laid to replace the one that was stolen in 2011

Metal theft was once a crime that would have been almost unheard of ten years ago. Yet with rising debt, plunging economic recession and the increasing rate of heartless opportunists, the crimes for all things that shine is rapidly increasing. In 2007 the total number of metal thefts in the UK was 15,002. Since then that figure has doubled to roughly 30,000. It seems that all that glitters is gold for these thieves, which range from stealing manhole covers, statues, and even parts of roofs. The stolen metals are melted down to make fast cash and provide a cheap buy for unconcerned scrap metal businesses. Many scrap metal company’s trade honestly and do not participate in accepting stolen goods. However, greater measures must be taken to prevent the corrupt few from operating. If stricter laws, harsher punishments, and hefty fines were put in place then the number of crimes would decline. Although the number of thefts has drastically risen over the last 5 years, it is a crime that can seem difficult to feel emotionally strongly about. We are at an age where we have become desensitised by various forms of media that it is easy to not give appropriate attention to lesser crimes. Often when watching the news, listening to the radio, or reading the paper, I feel bombarded by horror stories, negativity, and generally bad news. So when told a piece of metal has been stolen to make a quick buck the majority of the population would hardly bat an eyelid. However, this should not be the case. In almost every city, town and local community metals are used make statues, sculptures, and plaques. These effigies are used to commemorate history and create places of remembrance. I believe that there should be greater public awareness on the emotional attachment and sentimental meanings that these articles have to their local communities. If stricter punishments and more education were enforced then more effort would be made to prevent the number of such crimes from rising further.

On December 17^th  2011 a bronze plaque was stolen from the Holocaust Memorial gardens in Harlow, Essex. The plaque was laid at a ceremony in January 2001 and honoured victims of Nazi persecution. About 60 people of all faiths gathered together for the original service. The inscription read, ‘This garden is dedicated to the victims of the Nazi regime in Germany (1933-1945) and all peoples of the world who have been victims of atrocities or genocide’. The bronze slab which had remained in the garden for over ten years was a mark of respect to the Jewish community in Harlow. Locals walk in the gardens to admire the plaque and remember those who suffered under Nazi rule. So when it was savagely prised out of the ground by emotionless thugs you can imagine the upset of the local community. Council Chairman, Mike Garnett said, ‘People have no idea what the plaque means to people’. The scrap value of the slab was about £50. This is a small profit compared to the great lack of conscience and understanding for what the plaque stands for.

Harlow Council has displayed their understanding of the local community’s sentiment for the memorial plaque. On January 27^th 2012 the slab was replaced by the council and another ceremony was held. MP’s, police, and members of the local community assembled in the gardens to witness the unveiling of the new plaque. The restoration costs were £800, which is a vast expenditure when compared to the mere £50 that the thief would have made. Harlow MP Robert Halfron said, ‘I would send the thieves to Auschwitz to educate them’. He went on to say that if the theft were to happen again, ‘the thieves will know that we will just put another plaque back’. He made it clear that he and the local community will not give in to thieves. He also stressed the importance of ‘looking after small groups’, such as the Jewish community. In an attempt to prevent further thefts the new plaque is made from granite, which has a lower market value than the previous bronze slab. However, it is still equally as beautiful. The top of the slab has been engraved with the word ‘Remember’ in Hebrew, which shows that the local community won’t forget what the plaque symbolises. At the memorial the strength of the community and the close relationship between the council, police, and residents of Harlow was made clear. Psalms were sung, poems were recited, and prayers were read in Hebrew, which turned a saddening crime into a positive day and has reinforced the power of the local community.