Fury as lowlife vandals tear down Union Jack and scratch out names at war memorial

VILE thugs smashed their way into a cemetery chapel before desecrating a war memorial and ripping down a Union flag. Cops are hunting the yobs – who also removed letters from a First World War monument.

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The statue – dedicated to those who lost their lives between 1914 and 1918 - stands in tribute at Blaydon Cemetery in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. The shameful act has sparked outrage and an appeal has been launched to identify the culprits. Military veteran Graham Hall said: “This is totally disrespectful and it makes you wonder what types of families these people come from, particularly when most families in the North East have lost someone in either the First of Second World War.”

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Mr Hall, who is also chairman of Sunderland Armed Forces Network (SAFN), went on to say: “Unfortunately, I’ve heard about people urinating on war graves so these types of attacks are not uncommon. “The veterans look at this type of thing and see how disrespectful it is to everything that they fought for. Imagine how it makes them feel. “I would like these people to think about those who have allowed them the freedoms they enjoy every day.

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“I hope the police catch those res­ponsible and, once they are caught, I hope they are educated about their actions.” The damage is believed to have been caused between Friday May 20 and Monday May 23.

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The vandals broke into the chapel building at Blaydon cemetery, before attacking the memorial and ripping down the flag. Marcus Hawthorn, area manager for the Royal British Legion, said: “We completely condemn any type of attack like this on the memory of those who gave their lives for this country.

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“Let’s not forget, this is a criminal act and I hope the police catch those responsible as soon as possible.” A spokeswoman for Gateshead Council added: “We are aware of damage that has been caused to a war memorial at Blaydon Cemetery. “Northumbria Police are now involved and we are helping the police with their investigation.” Families of war veterans have also expressed their anger at the incident. Yvonne Sanderson, 63, whose father was captured at Dunkirk during the Second World War, said: “It takes a certain kind of person to do damage in a cemetery but to deliberately pick apart a war memorial is just disgusting.” We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368