FIVE commemorative benches have been stolen from a North-East care home and almshouse, police said tonight.
The benches were taken from the grounds of the Hospital of God at Greatham, near Hartlepool, between January 22 and 25.
Three of the benches, all of which bore inscriptions, were later found in Greatham Woods, where youths appeared to have started a fire, and had been drinking alcohol. The remaining two have yet to be traced.
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "The benches all had inscriptions on them in memory of different people, and although they are from years ago, they are still important to the people and the history of the village.
"It is not known at this point what the exact inscriptions were.
"The benches were valued a couple of years ago at £2,500 each."
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call PC Julie Dobson on 01642-302126.
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