Clean up planned for 'mindless' memorial graffiti

The memorial for the Boer War has had a red cross painted on the wall behind it

A St George cross painted next to a village war memorial has been described as an act of "mindless vandalism".

Plans are now being put in place to clean the red cross, which was painted on the wall behind the Grade II listed obelisk in Bywell Lane, Kilburn, Derbyshire, overnight on 24 August.

Parish council clerk Sheila Matthews said the graffiti at the Boer War memorial had been reported to Derbyshire Police.

"It's the same as [has] been happening across the country," she said, "but to us, it's just mindless vandalism."

A cross has also been painted on the mini roundabout in front of the memorial.

While the parish council would like to clean this off, Derbyshire County Council said it would not grant permission for safety reasons.

Highways councillor Charlotte Hill said: "People really should not be standing in the middle of a roundabout endeavouring to take these markings off as they would just be putting themselves in danger."

The paint at the site comes alongside the social media campaign Operation Raise the Flags, with those behind it saying they were motivated by pride and patriotism.

Others have expressed discomfort due to tensions running high across England over immigration and the St George cross often being used to promote far-right groups.

The paint has been reported to Derbyshire Police

Nearby resident Adam Lounds said he understood the sentiment of the painting, but that it was "an error of judgement" by the person responsible.

He said: "It's not a desecration of the monument, but it's out of place. A cloth flag would have been better."

Kilburn resident Dennis Crewe described it as "vandalism", and added: "I'd like to see it cleaned off for a start. I hope somebody will take responsibility for it."

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I quite understand that people want to put flags up on their properties and I think that's fine if you want to be patriotic and I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

"But painting a cross near the memorial is graffiti. I don't think that's right."

Labour MP for Amber Valley, Lindsey Farnsworth, said the paint at the war memorial was not an act of patriotism

Labour MP for Amber Valley, Lindsey Farnsworth, said: "I believe our flag should always be a source of pride.

"But we also have to be honest. Sometimes flags are used in a different way. Not to celebrate our country, but to cause hostility, division and fear.

"And there is a clear line. Painting roundabouts, zebra crossings, or even as I've sadly seen myself a war memorial, is not an act of patriotism. It is criminal damage."

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police confirmed the force received reports of criminal damage on 25 August, adding that "investigations into the incident are ongoing".