Fury at Barr Beacon memorial theft

THIEVES who stole copper from a Great Barr war memorial are the "lowest form of life" who should be "shipped to the front line", says a council chief.

The vandals struck at the Barr Beacon monument, which honours men from Staffordshire and Warwickshire who gave their lives in the First World War.

They damaged the roof, a wooden structure and a panoramic disc funded by a grant secured by Aldridge Rotary Club.

The incident took place between 8pm last Thursday, March 4, and 9am the next day.

The stone structure off Beacon Road had its wooden beams exposed to the elements due to the copper roof being partly removed, and has been covered with a tarpaulin to protect it from further damage.

Tools abandoned at the site have been forwarded to police for forensic analysis.

The leader of Walsall Council, Pheasey Park Farm, councillor Mike Bird, said he was "absolutely appalled" after visiting the memorial on Saturday.

He said: "As far as I am concerned I hope they are caught and shipped to Afghanistan.

"They are the lowest form of life and the amount of damage they have caused will run into thousands of pounds.

"It is such a heinous crime. These people don't live in the same world as me. Anybody who can desecrate a memorial for people who have fought for this country ought to be sent out to see first-hand what our soldiers are facing on a day-to-day basis.

"This is what the memorial is about, and I hope the people who caused this damage can sleep with their conscience."

Walsall Council has stepped up security at the landmark memorial with extra patrols.

Councillor Bird has vowed that the council will find the money to put the damage right.

He said: "It transcends budget problems and is vital that we get this back for the memory of those that fought and died for this country.

"Somebody saw something. I hope they come forward and give information to the police."

A spokesperson for West Midlands police said it was investigating the theft of metal roofing plates worth £200, and urged anyone with any information to contact Walsall Police by calling 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.