Thieves have stolen grave decorations from Berlin's Weissensee Jewish cemetery, apparently to sell as scrap metal.
Jewish community spokeswoman Maya Zehden said Monday that 16 graves have been raided this month by the thieves, who stole some €10,000 ($14,400) worth of decorative metal flower pots.
She says the nonmaterial value of the pots – some of which were antiques – is more important to the Jewish community.
She says other non-Jewish cemeteries have also been targeted by thieves seeking metal to sell as scrap.
Berlin police confirm they are investigating but have no further comment.
Zehden says the 104-acre cemetery had just completed extensive repair work in April. She urged people to be alert for offers of scrap metal online, at flea markets and elsewhere.
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