World War Two memorial vandalised for third time
BBCA World War Two war memorial in Worcester may never return to its home, after being vandalised for a third time.
The Meco Memorial Sculpture in St John's remembers the victims of the only fatal German attack on the city. The Meco works were targeted in a bombing raid in 1940, killing seven workers.
The leaf-shaped sculpture has been removed for repair after being pulled down, but councillor Richard Udall is no longer confident that it would be safe to return to its original place.
"It makes me feel extremely angry and very frustrated. And I know from speaking to some of the relatives of the of the victims, they feel very hurt," he said.
Mr Udall added: "It is shocking that a war memorial, which commemorated those who gave their lives fighting fascism in the second world war on the home front, has been vandalized in such a disrespectful way."
The sculpture was unveiled in 2023 but was removed from Sanctuary Park in the run-up to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, leaving an empty space surrounded by benches.
"There was no information about the bombing whatsoever but Worcester people knew about it, they knew people who had died or had been injured in the bombing.
"So it was very significant in Worcester, and especially in St John's," he said.
Mr Udall said he hoped those responsible "didn't know".
"The only other and much less charitable explanation is they do know and don't care but I would hope that's not the case."
A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: "The sculpture has been temporarily moved while the damage is assessed. We are assessing future options for the placement of the sculpture."
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