Brazen thieves have stolen a brass World War I commemoration plaque from a quiet Central Otago cemetery, a theft police describe as "reprehensible".
The brass plaque was taken from a headstone at the Omakau Cemetery sometime after Tuesday.
"The theft of this plaque is a reprehensible act," Senior Constable Darren Cox, of Omakau police, said.
"Not only is it the theft, but the significance of the plaque to the family that has caused a lot of distress."
The distinctive round bronze plaque depicts both Brittania and a lion, and is engraved with the name Samuel Corrigal.
