Vandals remove heads from war memorial statues

Villagers found the headless figures, which have been reported to police

Police are investigating after two war memorial silhouettes in a village near Dover appear to have been vandalised.

The Tommy and Women in War memorials on Guston's village green had their heads snapped off last week.

The Labour MP for Dover and Deal, and veteran, Mike Tapp, called the act "despicable" and said he would be speaking to police.

He added: "I can’t even imagine the kind of person who would do this."

Janet Baldwin, who helped raise funds for the statues, said the vandalism, which happened after midnight on 14 August, was “heartbreaking” for the village.

She said: “Why do this? It’s close to our hearts.

"The village fundraised for this and the Tommies gave so much."

Dave Hubbard, chef at the Chance Inn pub, which is opposite where the Tommies were placed, said they will raise cash to help replace the broken silhouettes.

He said there would be "quiz nights, bingo nights, anything to bring them back".

A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Officers have since visited the village and are reviewing CCTV footage as part of ongoing enquiries to identify and arrest anyone responsible."

They said the force "understood the upset" it would cause local residents and asked anyone with information to call police.