Police have launched an investigation after the gravestone of fictional Charles Dickens character Ebenezer Scrooge was smashed to pieces (Image: West Mercia Police)

Real-life Christmas Carol mystery after Ebenezer Scrooge's grave smashed

by · Birmingham Live

Police have launched an investigation after the gravestone of a fictional Charles Dickens character was smashed to pieces. A headstone to Ebenezer Scrooge, left behind after the filming of a 1984 movie adaptation of A Christmas Carol, was damaged by vandals in an 'unusual' attack.

The gravestone, which was used as a prop in the film, was in a graveyard next to St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury. West Mercia Police believe it was destroyed some time between Thursday November 21 and Sunday November 24.

The inscribed stone was a popular attraction drawing in tourists to see the memorial to the curmudgeonly character. Officers appealed for witnesses and shared images of the destruction left in the wake of the bizarre act.

READ MORE: Amazon backs Brumwish campaign with stunning donation to give struggling kids a Christmas

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

  1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
  2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
  3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Police have launched an investigation after the gravestone of fictional Charles Dickens character Ebenezer Scrooge was smashed to pieces

Pc Jono Lightfoot, said: “We are carrying out a number of enquiries to understand what led to the gravestone being destroyed, and we are appealing to the public for their help.

“If you were in the area between Thursday, November 21 and yesterday, Sunday, November 24, and witnessed any unusual behaviour, please get in touch as it may help with our enquiries.

“You can contact me by emailing me at jono.lightfoot@westmercia.police.uk quoting incident number 288i of November 24, 2024.”