Old meet young to help prevent cenotaph vandalism

As the country remembers those who fell 100 years ago in the First World War, West Midland Police officers, Army veterans and young people have teamed up to tackle a spate of vandalism at the cenotaph in Wolverhampton.

Officers from the Wolverhampton policing team organised the meeting between teenagers who “hang out” near the city centre cenotaph and the veterans who go there to pay their respects. The move was prompted after graffiti was daubed on the memorial.

Fred Bunce, 85, chairman of the United Ex-Service Council for Wolverhampton, and Lyndon Purnell, 79, chairman of the City of Wolverhampton Central Branch of the Royal British Legion, met with youngsters who regularly gather in the area.

Together the pair talked to the teens to explain the importance of the memorial and pleaded with them to report anyone they see damaging the spot. The meeting ended with hugs and handshakes between the two generations.

Mr Purnell said: “The people who have done this may not realise what they have done. Should they be caught they need to be sat down and told what the cenotaph means to people like me.”

Sergeant Tracey McElroy-Baker, from the Wolverhampton city centre policing team, added: “It has been great to bring young and old together to discuss what the cenotaph means to each of them. The youngsters agreed that the acts were abhorrent, especially at a time of remembrance, and many of the young people we have spoken to have military ties so understand the significance of the monument.”

None of the youngsters police and veterans met are believed to be involved in the crimes, but officers have asked them to watch out for any suspicious behaviour.