Appeal after town's war memorial is vandalised

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the vandalism in Broad Street, Harleston on Wednesday

A silhouette memorial of a World War One soldier in a town centre has been left damaged by an act of "mindless vandalism", a council said.

Norfolk Police said the 'Tommy' silhouette on Broad Street in Harleston, Norfolk was vandalised between 17:00 GMT on Tuesday and 08:00 on Wednesday.

The memorial appeared to have been stretched apart, the force said.

It has since been removed from its plinth as a "precautionary measure" as investigations continue.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.

On social media, Redenhall and Harleston Town Council described the damage as "mindless vandalism".

A police spokesperson said: "The WW1 Tommy Silhouette soldier, a symbol of remembrance, has been damaged - appearing stretched.

"We have promptly removed the statue and placed it in secure storage at a dry location."