The plaque unveiled by a Salfordian rock legend to celebrate the recovery of stones from a historic mill has gone missing.
The Anaconda Walkway in Greengate West was opened by Joy Division and New Order co-founder Peter Hook in 2012.
More than 40 tonnes of stones left over from a 19th century cotton mill were excavated from the River Irwell eight-years-ago.
They are being used as a feature along the river embankment.
A plaque unveiled as part of the walkway opening has now gone missing.
Local councillor Steve Coen thinks the thief is a Joy Division superfan.
"It's just a testament to the popularity of our Salford icons, we take it for granted sometimes," he said.
"We can't deny that there will always be trophy hunters trying their luck, but we'd like our plaque back."
Stephen Alegra, 40, who lives in the area, said: "You can't have anything in Salford, can you?"
"I thought it was a nice touch when they first put it in, a lot of people would stop and have a look at it, you'd hear good things about it.
"They've probably taken it as a collectible or something, or they've just thrown it in the river, idiots.
Former bandmates Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner have a connection to the atea.
Sumner's parent's lived in Newbank Tower, where they would spend the weekends together and visit Manchester's night clubs.
"Maybe we should consider having both Bernard and Peter's names on a new stone," Coun Coen added.
He appeal for the the plaque to be returned to the Paradise Works studios on East Phillips Street.
