Memorial plaques honouring veterans have been stolen twice this year, prompting concerns they may have been taken for scrap metal.
Whakatāne RSA have been left disappointed and horriffied after the World War I and World War II memorial plaques at Mitchell Park were stolen.
President Victor Hape said the plaques had been stolen twice this year, with the first incident occuring just before ANZAC day.
After noticing the plaques were missing, the RSA was able to reinstate them with the help of a community member.
"We actually got an anonymous phone call that one of our community members had seen them, so we worked through that person to get them back."
The brass plaques were reinforced and strengthened before being placed back in Mitchell Park ready for ANZAC Day.
"They were put back in the same place, they were strengthened a little bit better than the last time but that didn't stop whoever wanted them.
"They were jiggled out, ripped out and taken again."
The most recent theft occurred three weeks ago.
Hape said the theft was reported to the police, but the whereabouts of the plaques are still unknown.
The recent theft took place just weeks before the Midwinter Veterans Luncheon, which celebrates the service of Whakatāne Veterans and brings them together with cadets from the area.
"We remember those that have gone before us and we also think about those that are coming tomorrow."
Hape said members were shocked and horrified by the theft, with many left in disbelief that something like that could happen more than once.
"They were angry but more disappointed that those things have happened.
"We're living in a time that's very hard for everyone but that shouldn't detract from what happened."
Hape said he fears the plaques have been melted for resale, and with little hope left of finding them again, the RSA is brainstorming for replacements.
"We'll start planning with our stonemasons to getting replacements - not necessarily metal plaques again, installed and to get some more up as fast as we can."
The reinstatement will be important for continued education and respect for veterans within the community, he said.
Hape is also warning other community groups to be wary of potential theft.
"We're just wanting to inform our community, to make sure that our community looks at other areas where those type of memorial plaques exist, not only those dedicated to our veterans but to other things in our community.
"Dare I say at our cemeteries, making sure that they are all safe and we're trying to minimise thefts as much as we can."
Metal resellers should also be conscious that some materials could be taken from memorials and other community sites, he said.
Earlier this month, Whakatāne District Council staff had to clean up damage at the Tāneatua Cemetry.
The incident involved some surface damage to the grass and rubbish scattered around the site, Manager Open Spaces Operations Ian Molony said.
"Unfortunately, this type of behaviour does occur from time to time at this time of the year across Council reserves.
"In this instance a bollard was removed after its padlock was cut."
At this stage there are no further details about what happened or who was involved in the disappointing and disrespectful behaviour, he said.
"Council will continue to monitor the site, carry out any necessary repairs, and is hopeful this remains an isolated incident.”
No brass or copper was taken from the site.
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