Thieves steal Joy Division singer's headstone

Thieves have stolen Joy Division singer Ian Curtis' memorial headstone, police said today.

The theft occurred between Monday lunch time and Tuesday morning at Macclesfield Cemetery on Prestbury Road in Cheshire.

Inspector Gareth Woods, of Cheshire Police, described the theft of the iconic singer's kerbstone as "very unusual".

"We would hope someone locally would have knowledge about who is responsible or where the memorial stone is at present," he added.

The father-of-one hanged himself in 1980, when he was just 23. Many biographies have been subsequently written and several films of his life created - including last year's acclaimed Control starring Sam Riley and Samantha Morton, who played his wife Deborah.

Today, a spokesman confirmed she had been told of the theft from the site which, he said, is visited by thousands of fans from around the world each year.

Tony Barker, spokesman for Macclesfield Borough Council, which runs the site, said: "It is a kerbstone, not a headstone, and it isn't especially deep. Just big enough to bear the epitaph Love Will Tear Us Apart."

He added: "It would usually have flowers behind it and mementoes to Ian Curtis's life."

Cheshire Police urged anyone with information to contact them on 0845 458 0000.