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War memorials vandalised in central London War memorials vandalised in central London
(35 minutes later)
Council officers are assessing the damage caused to two privately funded war memorials in central London by vandals who daubed graffiti on them.Council officers are assessing the damage caused to two privately funded war memorials in central London by vandals who daubed graffiti on them.
Although the word "Islam" was quickly covered up after the attacks were discovered early on Monday, staff from Westminster council were examining the £6m RAF Bomber Command memorial in Green Park and the £2m Animals in War memorial in nearby Hyde Park before repairs were started to the Portland stone structures.Although the word "Islam" was quickly covered up after the attacks were discovered early on Monday, staff from Westminster council were examining the £6m RAF Bomber Command memorial in Green Park and the £2m Animals in War memorial in nearby Hyde Park before repairs were started to the Portland stone structures.
The Met police and Royal Parks officers are treating the incidents as criminal damage and no arrests have been made.The Met police and Royal Parks officers are treating the incidents as criminal damage and no arrests have been made.
The Bomber Command memorial – which has a three-metre (9ft) bronze structure of seven airmen returning from a bombing raid – commemorates 55,573 air crew who died in action during the second world war. The Bomber Command memorial, which has a three-metre (9ft) bronze structure of seven airmen returning from a bombing raid, commemorates 55,573 air crew who died in action during the second world war.
It was opened by the Queen last year after a long campaign to honour their memory. Private sponsors such as Lord Ashcroft, John Caudwell and Richard Desmond and donations from members of the public funded the memorial, which also has as an inscription commemorating civilian lives lost because of the raids.It was opened by the Queen last year after a long campaign to honour their memory. Private sponsors such as Lord Ashcroft, John Caudwell and Richard Desmond and donations from members of the public funded the memorial, which also has as an inscription commemorating civilian lives lost because of the raids.
Dame Judi Dench last week described herself as being "very proud" to be the first patron of a new £1.5m campaign by the RAF Benevolent Association for its upkeep.Dame Judi Dench last week described herself as being "very proud" to be the first patron of a new £1.5m campaign by the RAF Benevolent Association for its upkeep.
The animal memorial includes two bronze mules, a horse and dog and the silhouettes of other animals that served in British, Commonwealth and Allied armed services carved into the stone wall of the edifice, which is 17.7 metres (58ft) wide and 16.8 metres (55ft) deep. It was unveiled by the Princess Royal in November 2004 – the 90th anniversary of the start of the first world war. The animal memorial includes two bronze mules, a horse and dog and the silhouettes of other animals that served in British, Commonwealth and Allied armed services carved into the stone wall of the edifice, which is 17.7 metres (58ft) wide and 16.8 metres (55ft) deep. It was unveiled by the Princess Royal in November 2004,– the 90th anniversary of the start of the first world war.
The £2m needed to build the monument came from a national appeal and individual donors, charities and companies including the estate of the American philanthropist Paul Mellon. The memorial, established by a fund, is now the responsibility of Westminster council. The £2m needed to build the monument came from a national appeal and individual donors, charities and companies including the estate of the American philanthropist Paul Mellon. The memorial, established by a fund, is the responsibility of Westminster council.
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