Memorial for war heroes targeted by vandals set for improvement work

A war memorial which has been targeted by vandals could soon be repaired. The Memorial Gardens in Middleton commemorates those who fought and died in the first and second world wars and also contains a special memorial for Fusilier Lee Rigby. Vandals have targeted the area on a number of occasions in recent years.

Originally there were toilets either side of the main entrance gates, but these were blocked off years ago also due to vandalism.

Rochdale Council has now submitted plans to improve the area and futureproof the memorial. Proposals include replacing missing or damaged slates; replacing roof trusses and decorative timbers; and replacing roof sheeting as well as the pointing.

Planning papers outlined that these works “will ensure that the building is watertight and will stop any further degradation which has been caused by theft of lead valleys and criminal damage”.

Local ward representative Councillor Dylan Williams has repeatedly spoken out about the criminal damage and antisocial behaviour committed in the Middleton area.

In recent months the memorial gardens and King George V park have been the subject of vandalism from ‘gangs of masked teens on motorbikes’.

 

 

Councillor Williams has called on Greater Manchester Police to take more severe measures to stamp out this problem that has plagued the town for years.

Speaking in June after the memorial gardens were attacked alongside Alkrington Woods, Councillor Williams said: “It is just getting worse and worse. It is completely out of control now.

“I think the council needs to hurry up with the installation of the new CCTV upgrade for the town centre.

“The money is there now. The police obviously need to get tough on these vandals and they need to do more to identify them and take action.

“I just feel like there is no deterrent at the moment. Punishment never seems to go beyond these antisocial behaviour contracts.”

Since this time, GMP have successfully applied for money from the council township for three new e-bikes so they can tackle the off-road biker problem. GMP said this £7,500 for electric bikes would help tackle these problems.

The committee granted the funds for three of the £2,500 bikes at the latest township meeting on 10 October.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter