Holocaust victims remembered at church service

A candle of remembrance was lit during the service

The first Holocaust Memorial service to be held in Cannock has taken place.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January and is an occasion to remember the millions of people murdered by the Nazis and those who lost their lives in genocides.

The date marks the anniversary of when the concentration camp at Auschwitz was liberated in 1945.

The multi-faith ceremony at St Luke's Church was organised by the district council after the idea was proposed by Councillor Paris Theodorou.

Councillor Paris Theodorou read a poem during the service

Mr Theodorou, Conservative councillor for Hawks Green Ward, said there would always be confilict and hatred but people could try to mitigate it.

"By knowing the horrors of the past, especially within living memory, this will help prevent them from ever happening again, within our community or the country at large," he said.

Councillors, members of the public and police officers joined the service.

Police forces across the country have reported a rise in anti-semitic hate crimes since the attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7 October.

West Midlands Police recorded 22 such incidents in the month which followed, compared to one in the previous 12 months.

Among the invited guests was Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations at The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism.

He said the Jewish community felt under siege.

Cannock Chase District Chairman Alan Pearson lit a candle

Council chairman Alan Pearson said it was about time the service was held.

"Especially with what's happening in the world today. It's an open reflection of what's gone on and what's still carrying on. You'd think it would be closed down by now, you'd like [to think] we'd have learned our lessons, but it's still carrying on even today."

A Holocaust Memorial service is also due to take place at St Edwards Church, Leek, on Saturday at 15:00 BST