Vandals decapitate statue commemorating all the soldiers killed in First World War as police launch investigation
A Tommy silhouette statue commemorating all soldiers who fought in WWI has been decapitated.
Vandals sawed off the head of the memorial soldier which was created as a thank you to all those who served in the First World War.
It is one of thousands of Lest We Forget monuments installed across the UK to remember the fallen.
Resident Paul Johnson, 59, was shocked when he came across the decapitated statue at around midday yesterday in Watford, Hertfordshire.
He said: 'It's disgraceful. I just could not believe what I saw to be honest.
'It's a statue of our country's liberty and someone has sawn the head off it which is quite intimidating to some people.
Vandals sawed off the head of the memorial soldier which was created as a thank you to all those who served in the First World War
'There's a lot of things going on in this world at the moment and I know people will say it's only a statue.
'But with respect my dad, my two uncles and both my grandads fought in the war to keep this country safe - then you get this kind of thing happening and I just find it despicable.
'It's happened elsewhere in the town too but I haven't seen that one.'
Members of The Royal British Legion are 'greatly disturbed' by the attack on a monument which honours all members of the Armed Forces.
A spokesperson said: 'The Royal British Legion is greatly disturbed to hear of the damage to the Lest We Forget statue in Bushey Mill Lane.
Pictured: An example of an intact Tommy silhouette
'War memorials and graves honour the memory of every member of the Armed Forces who has made the ultimate sacrifice and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.'
Police are investigating and Watford Borough Council is aware of the incident.
Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: 'The vandalisation of the Tommy memorial is unbelievably sad, extremely disrespectful and completely unacceptable.
'We are aware of this dreadful incident and so are the police, who are urgently looking into it.
'The council takes vandals damaging poignant memorials in our town very seriously and we will replace them as quickly as possible.
'The purpose of the memorials is to educate all generations about the sacrifices made by many in conflicts and to raise funds to help those suffering from the hidden wounds of war.
'It is a project that the council have supported since 2018 and one that is close to many people's hearts. I'm sure everyone in Watford is as appalled and distressed by this as I am.'