A RECENTLY renovated war memorial's metal plaques, where the names of the town's war dead were inscribed, have been stolen.

The crime was discovered yesterday while a service was being held nearby to pay tribute to those who shot down a Zeppelin in the area during the First World War.

It’s believed two of four plaques were taken from the memorial at St Stephen’s Church, Purfleet, on Saturday evening.

Debris from the drilling out of the secured rivets was still scattered on the steps of the memorial.

A member of St Stephen’s congregation described the theft as shocking and shameful.

Church warden Demus Lee said he was shocked and he would be contacting the police and Thurrock Council – who are responsible for the memorial – to see what might be done to get a replacements in place, and to review their security.

Borough deputy Mayor, councillor Terry Picollo, who was at the service also described the theft as shocking and said he would be asking officers to take action to restore the memorial as soon as possible.

It was only last autumn that the memorial was renovated by the council in time for last year's special centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War.

St Stephen’s is traditionally the first Thurrock venue to pay annual tribute to the borough’s fallen on the first Sunday in November.