200 bronze statues stolen from Saint-Gilles cemetery

More than 200 bronze and copper statues were stolen from the Saint Gilles cemetery during the weekend of Heritage Days, on 14 and 15 September.

“It seems that the perpetrators knew exactly what to steal, because the pieces were carefully chosen,” mayor Jean Spinette said.

“It’s a shame that even for the dead there is no respect any more.”

The cemetery, located in Uccle near the crematorium, houses valuable works of art.

“Our services are in contact with the families to draw up an inventory,” Spinette told Bruzz, adding that “the list of stolen pieces is long”.

Among the items stolen are a bronze statue of painter Léopold Speekaert, a statue of a seated woman from the Janssen family's crypt, the engraved profile of Alexandre Hoguet and a statue of a grieving woman from the Fourneaux-Liénart family.

According to the mayor, the thieves came well prepared in a large truck and were familiar with the area. Once at the cemetery, they did not have to expect much in the way of security.

“We do have a caretaker, but real security did not seem necessary so far - respect for the dead was always enough,” said Spinette.

“The thieves also took a cross, but left the statue of Jesus standing – apparently they had some scruples after all.”

The Saint-Gilles municipality has filed a complaint and is acting as a civil party on behalf of the affected families, and the mayor is looking at how to better secure the cemetery in the future.