'Mindless desecration of the Barr Beacon War Memorial is a shining example of broken Britain' - former councillor
Anyone with information about those who set fire to Barr Beacon War Memorial has been urged to contact the police.
This week the centrepiece of the memorial, a metal map, was wrecked after being set on fire.
Reform UK Black Country co-ordinator and former West Bromwich councillor Ray Nock urged anyone with information about the culprits to contact the police.
Speaking at the burnt memorial, he told the Express & Star: "I am asking all good-minded people to report anything they may have seen to the police.
"This is another shining example of 'broken Britain'. I’m disgusted with this mindless desecration of a war memorial coming just 10 years after its restoration. This damage shows a moral decline that must be fixed."
The Barr Beacon War Memorial was built in 1933 in honour of the local people who died in the First World War.
After repeatedly being targeted by metal thieves which saw copper stripped from its roof, the memorial was refurbished in 2014.
The map which shows visitors the landmarks in the panoramic views from one of the highest points in the Midlands was made from metal which has forensic stamps to prevent thieves being able to sell it.
Mr Nock believes the vandalism is all the more disrespectful being weeks before Remembrance Sunday in November.
He said: "As we’re just a few short weeks away from the Remembrance Day parades in towns and villages all over the West Midlands, I urge everyone to visit one in their area and take their kids and grandkids to show respect to those who paid a massive price for us."
After inspecting the damage, Walsall Councillor Graham Eardley said: “It’s like someone has held a BBQ on the map.”
In 2013 The Barr Beacon Trust promised to fund security cameras at the site due to the repeated targeting of the memorial by thieves and vandals. In 2011 thieves had caused thousands of pounds worth of damage by stripping the memorial of copper.
The banning of cash sales of metal helped stem the thefts from the memorial but it has since been set on fire, the latest incident being in June.
