New pride bench unveiled after last one set on fire

The new bench had a plaque from North Herts Pride which read: "Love Conquers all"

A pride bench which was set on fire a month ago has been replaced.

Hertfordshire Police said they were investigating a suspected arson following the blaze in Windmill Hill, Hitchin, but added that "at this time all lines of enquiry have been exhausted and no suspect has been identified".

A fundraising page set up by North Herts Pride raised over £2,000 to install the new seat.

Chairperson Kit Rees, 26, said the huge amount of support they had received was "completely wild" and they were in talks to get more benches in North Herts.

The bench had received a rainbow-style makeover in March 2023

"We started off having picnics on Windmill Hill and we thought it was a good idea to put a bench there," they said.

"The bench is symbolic and acts as a safety beacon in a very visible location.

"We cannot ensure this [the bench being set on fire] won't happen again, but it is about trying to mitigate the hate as much as it is trying to replace it with love."

Hertfordshire Police said that should any new information come to light about the incident, it will be acted upon accordingly.