Titanic thieves?

It was a suspected crime that had Hampshire’s finest on the case after thieves were thought to have stolen a Titanic memorial in Southampton. Scrap metal thieves were believed to have snatched the plaque from Vokes Memorial Gardens, off Platform Road, close to the berth from which the great ship sailed to its doom in April 1912.

Members of the British Titanic Society spoke of their outrage over the apparent theft and the police were notified.

But what was thought to be a callous crime was in fact the work of a well-meaning member of the public who, spotting the plaque was becoming detached from its plinth, handed it into Associated British Ports – one of the organisations which funded the memorial.

ABP had been alerted to the loss but after making enquiries a company spokesman confirmed the plaque was in safe keeping : “A member of the public handed the plaque in to our port security office some time last week.

“They said it had become dislodged and so to ensure it would not be lost they handed it to us where it has been ever since."

It reads: “In memory of the passengers and crew of RMS Titanic who sailed from the nearby berth 43 on her maiden voyage on 10 April 1912 and sank on 15 April 1912 with the loss of over 1,500 lives.

Dr Rudi Newman, honorary secretary of the British Titanic Society, said “News of the plaque being found is wonderful, and now the story has been straightened out it shows how individuals still care about commemorating Titanic and those lost."

He added: “As the loosened plaque was plainly vulnerable, We thank the person who handed it in and hope it can be restored to its place soon."

Thank you.