A number of memorial plaques are being stolen from locations across London.
At the entrance to Campbell Park on Dundas Street, metal backing is all that remains of the William Saunders Memorial Plaque.
Local historian Joe O'Neil says several historical monuments have gone missing recently and it's a sad sight.
"When you steal this, it's like personally hitting somebody in the gut...These aren't crimes of convenience, these are planned thefts. Somebody has got to be taking power tools. Some of these plaques and statues are very heavy, so they have to have transportation to move it."
A dedication plaque that used to be near the walking bridge in Gibbons Park is also gone.
And it's not just historical plaques, but family memorial plaques - that usually sit under a tree or by a bench - have also been removed from Gibbons Park.
O'Neil explains, "There is a limited amount of money every year for these plaques, so if you take money to replace these plaques that means somebody waiting for their memorial to get put up gets pushed back another year or two."
The one thing the missing plaques have in common is metal, and for thieves that means money, but not every metal recycler will take them.
Matt Zubick of John Zubick Ltd. says, "Brass plaques, city street signs, railroad material, anything from a graveyard, any work of art or something that looks like it obviously should not be scrapped - we will look for a clear title and ownership and if that's not provided we will reject the material."
He says they often have to call police when stolen metal is brought in.
London police Const. Jane Crosby says, "If it's not your property don't take it. You are not entitled to it. If you do see somebody either damaging it or taking the property, don't confront them yourself, please call us."
