Town centre Tommy silhouette statues vandalised

Three statues of soldiers installed in a town centre have been vandalised, prompting outrage from the community group that installed them.

The trio of Tommy silhouettes, which had been put up in Ossett precinct, were targeted on Sunday.

Mark Elvin, chair of Visit Ossett, said: "It's disgusting and so sad. These have been installed to remember those brave soldiers who gave their lives for us."

West Yorkshire Police has urged anyone with information about the damage or other anti-social behaviour in the town to get in touch.

The vandalism follows damage caused to wooden silhouettes that were put in place before the metal ones.

Mr Elvin said the statues had been installed as part of the community group's efforts to the enhance the town and make it more attractive to visitors.

He added: "It's the little things that make a big impact.

"At times when the sun sets you look at these Tommies and think about the people who gave their lives and it's so poignant.

"And then you get these individuals who think it's ok to come along and smash them up."

Mr Elvin said he had since taken the figures down and was going to repair them himself before putting them back up.

He added: "These people who are vandalising them, they're not going to stop us doing what we believe is the right thing as a community."

Duncan Smith, councillor for Ossett and Gawthorpe, described the vandalism as "awful".

"Remembrance in Ossett is a really big thing and the Tommies really add to that sense of pride," he said.

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