Urn containing Freud's ashes severely damaged in attempted theft

Thieves tried to steal psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's ashes from a London crematorium.

The Metropolitan Police said that a 2 300-year-old Greek urn containing the remains of Freud and his wife Martha was damaged in a break-in by burglars at Golders Green Crematorium, News24 reported.

Detective Constable Daniel Candler called the attempted theft, which took place on 31 December 2013 or 1 January 2014, a "despicable act".

The crematorium, which has seen funerals of Dracula novelist Bram Stoker, comedian Peter Sellers and singer Amy Winehouse among others, has moved the urn to a secure location and is reviewing security.