Barr Beacon war memorial targeted by vandals weeks before Remembrance Day
Vandals have been criticised after a "mindless" attack on a war memorial in the Black Country.
The "iconic" war memorial at Barr Beacon has been damaged, with 14 of the cast iron balustrades ripped off by vandals.
Councillor Chris Towe, of Walsall Council, said the damage was 'shocking' as he visited to the area to see for himself.
Walsall Council chiefs have said teams are now hard at work organising repairs in time for this year's Remembrance Day.
Despite the pandemic halting plans for a big parade, members still want the memorial fixed for those who would like to privately remember.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council and chairman of the Barr Beacon Trust, said: "I’m deeply saddened and angry about this mindless vandalism of our iconic Barr Beacon war memorial, particularly as Remembrance Day is so close.
"This beautiful memorial has been in place for many years and we are very mindful of our duty to protect and preserve it. Our Healthy Spaces team is hard at work organising repairs."
Phillip Fairbrace of the Walsall branch of the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association said he was upset to hear about what had taken place.
He said: "Members of the the Walsall branch of the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association are saddened to hear about this wanton vandalism.
"We are more determined to go ahead with the annual act of Remembrance on Friday, November 6 at 11am with social distancing."
