Memorials to murdered police officers vandalised

Black paint was sprayed on the memorial to Sgt John Speed in the early hours of Sunday morning

Memorials to two West Yorkshire police officers who were killed in the line of duty have been vandalised.

On Saturday, black paint was sprayed on a memorial stone to PC Ian Broadhurst who was shot dead in 2003. On Sunday, a memorial to Sgt John Speed who was murdered in 1984 was also targeted.

Police said they believed both incidents were linked.

Ch Supt Steve Dodds, Leeds District Commander, described the actions as "absolutely disgusting".

He added: "It is absolutely disgusting that someone would deliberately deface the memorials honouring the memories of PC Ian Broadhurst and Sgt John Speed, who were murdered in the line of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to protect the public from armed and dangerous offenders."

West Yorkshire Police said it was alerted to the damage on PC Broadhurst's memorial on Saturday and believed it had been targeted between 18:10 to 18:20 GMT.

As well as paint being daubed on the stone, wreaths and flowers laid at the site had also been strewn about, the force said.

Police were then made aware of vandalism to the second memorial on Sunday morning and believe the damage occurred in the early hours.

Ch Supt Dodds said PC Broadhurst's memorial had been cleaned and Sgt Speed's would be similarly restored.

He added: "Thankfully we don't expect there to be any lasting damage to either."

PC Ian Broadhurst was shot in the head and chest in Leeds in 2003

PC Ian Broadhurst was shot dead by former US marine David Bieber in the Fearnville area of the city on Boxing Day 2003. Bieber was jailed for a minimum of 37 years for his murder.

Sgt John Speed was shot dead near the former Leeds Parish Church on Kirkgate in 1984 after going to the aid of a colleague who was checking on two men acting suspiciously.

The memorials to both officers were previously been targeted by vandals in 2010, 2012 and 2018.

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