Murdered police officer's memorial plaque smashed

The memorial plaque was installed almost two years ago to mark 50 years since PC Guthrie's murder

The sister of a murdered police officer said she was "gutted and shocked" that his memorial plaque had been smashed.

The plaque on Far Gosford Street, Coventry, lies close to where PC Peter Guthrie was shot dead in 1972 while investigating a break in at a gun shop.

Coventry Police said it was called on Sunday to a report of damage and appealed to the public for information.

Lindsay Blundell described the damage as "mindless vandalism".

PC Peter Guthrie was shot on 22 July 1972 by an intruder who had broken into a gun shop

The memorial was unveiled in July 2022 to mark 50 years since the newly married PC Guthrie was killed while on duty.

The 21-year-old was shot at point-blank range by gunman Anthony Jeffs, who was later convicted of his murder.

Ms Blundell, who was 16 at the time, remembered hearing her mum screaming downstairs after officers came to the house to deliver the news.

“He was always somebody who would look after me," she said. “It’s 52 years ago but you still miss the person."

The officer was posthumously awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry.

Lindsay Blundell said she was very proud of a replica plaque her family had been given

Chair of The Police Memorial Trust, Geraldine Winner, said: "We can assure the officer's family, friends and colleagues that the memorial will be replaced."

Ms Blundell said she was grateful to the trust.

"I think people do need somewhere they can pay their respects to people that have been killed in the line of duty."

Det Ch Insp Adam Jobson from Coventry Police said the force did not yet know how the plaque was damaged but was "determined to establish the details".