Morris slams Curtis gravestone thieves

Rex Features

Former Joy Division drummer Stephen Morris has hit out at robbers who stole Ian Curtis's gravestone.

The memorial was taken from Macclesfield Cemetery in Cheshire at some point between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Morris speculated that the thieves may have been attempting to capitalise on recent interest in Curtis prompted by 2007 movie Control and this year's eponymous documentary.

He told NME: "I just don't understand why anyone would do it. You couldn't sell it on eBay - it's ridiculous and very upsetting.

"There had been the films so maybe someone thought they could cash in… or maybe it's someone who is a bit deranged - you'd have to be.

"I'm speechless. It really is not a very nice thing at all."

Curtis committed suicide in 1980, aged 23.