Outrage after someone defecates on war memorial in Harborough

A shocking “obscene” attack on a venerated war memorial in Market Harborough town centre has been blasted.

Offenders have defecated on a wall dedicated to the fallen of the two world wars just inches away from an iconic Tommy soldier in the Memorial Gardens by The Square.

The despicable incident was slammed by the Royal British Legion (RBL) and branded a “disgusting act of desecration” by Harborough District Council leader Phil King.

It’s also been rapped by Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group.

The “vile” incident is now being investigated by police as they hunt the culprits.

The Rev John Morley, President of the Market Harborough branch of the Royal British Legion, (RBL), came across the outrage this morning (Thursday).

The retired RAF Wing Commander told the Harborough Mail this afternoon: “I was out walking to get my Mail this morning and spotted council environmental health staff in the Memorial Gardens.

“They had gone there to move a memorial bench for us and stumbled across this incident.

“They showed me horrible brown stains on the memorial wall.

“There were human faeces at the bottom of the wall on the ground alongside fouled paper obviously used in the act.”

Stunned John added: “They had just missed the solid lifesize figure of a Tommy.

“They must have gone and defecated there through the night or early on Thursday morning under cover of darkness.

“It’s a terrible thing to do and it’s hard to believe it’s happened.

“But I want to thank the council staff who did such a fine job carrying out such a dirty task.”

Outraged Stewart Harrison, chairman of the RBL’s Market Harborough branch, told the Mail: “I cannot believe that this has happened again.

“Our Tommy was targeted at the cenotaph on The Square last year in a disgusting attack and now this is done.”

Talking from Perth, Western Australia, the former RAF and Army serviceman added: “Why does anyone feel the need to insult and dishonour memorials paying tribute to our magnificent war fallen and brave veterans?

“It just beggars belief – especially coming just before Armed Forces Week.”

Told about the criminal damage by the Mail, Cllr King said: “I just cannot believe anyone would stoop so low and do this.

“It’s vile and it’s disgusting.

“I wholeheartedly condemn it.”

He added: “This is a much-loved, revered war memorial.

“It pays tribute to hundreds of heroic local men, and women, who fought and died for their country.

“They often lay down their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have our freedom today.

“I urge anyone who knows who did this or who saw anything suspicious to alert the police straight away.

“And if the perpetrators themselves have any conscience at all they should hand themselves in and own up to this vile act of desecration immediately.”

Cllr King vowed they will be studying CCTV cameras sweeping the spot in a bid to identify and nail the offenders.

“We will be working alongside the police to scour our footage and get justice done,” he said.

Shocked Cllr Knowles said: “This is totally unacceptable.

“The people who did this have to seriously question themselves.”

He praised council staff who cleaned up the foul mess.

“Full marks to them for responding so quickly and carrying out such a thoroughly unpleasant job so well,” said Cllr Knowles.

“They went above and beyond so well done to them.”

Leicestershire Police have been asked for a comment.