Express & Star

Yobs urinate against Dudley war memorial

Security cameras could be installed in a Dudley church yard after yobs were caught urinating against a war memorial.

Published

Obscenities including spitting and vomiting by it have also been spotted by a security guard at St John's Church, in Kates Hill.

Campaigner Deb Brownlee branded the behaviour as 'disgusting' and 'insulting' against the 120 people who served from the area during the First World War, who are commemorated on the plaque at the lych gate.

It comes as the church re-opened last summer following a 14-year campaign.

Mrs Brownlee explained: "Recently our security guard caught a man urinating up it and he was completely un-remorseful. He thought it was ok to do that.

"Installing CCTV is a big job we have to look at. But it is something we will have to do to stop this.

"They also drop fag ends and throw up by the war memorial. It is completely disrespectful and used as an anti-social behaviour area.

"The war memorial is for the First World War and remembers 120 people who served from the Kates Hill area commemorated on a plaque. A lot of them died for their country and now these people think it is acceptable to spit and urinate around it?

"It is incredibly sad that we are trying to get people to understand that this is a war memorial and a church and it has got to be treated with respect.

"It is insulting - it seems they don't care at all."

The churchyard also contains around 40 graves with military connections, including several medal holders.

An image posted on the Facebook Save St John's Church page shows the urine left by the memorial following the incident and a picture of a toilet.

It says the memorial remembers 'real men'.

West Midlands Police have not been alerted yet, but Mrs Brownlee says she wants to gather community support.

Mrs Brownlee continued: "We now intend to take images of the mess they leave and put it on our Facebook page to act as a deterrent.

"I have filmed some chaps drinking in the lych gate previously and when asked nicely if they could move on they just ignore us.

"We need public support in this and are seeking anyone who could help volunteer a couple of hours a month to help with security, as this is something we need 24 hours a day."

Councillor Ken Finch also called for action on tackling the situation, saying that he would bring up the incident at the next British Legion meeting.

He said: "This is completely disgusting.

"We need to catch those who done it and I will certainly be taking this up with the council and British Legion as this is happening up and down the country.

"It is disappointing to hear that it is taking place in Dudley too as something needs to be done to alleviate the problem."

To volunteer with St John's campaign group email savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk or call 07871195042.