City’s war memorial vandalised after graffiti ‘tags’ spotted on wall

The memorial gardens, opposite Norwich City Hall in Guildhall Hill, remembers those who lost their lives during the First and Second World War.

However, it was recently subject to mindless graffiti which was found on the walls leading up to the steps.

Robert Maguire, who spotted the graffiti, said It’s getting out of hand (Image: Newsquest)READ MORE: Grant of £1/2m awarded to YMCA to help hundreds of young people

Robert Maguire, who lives in Drayton Road, first spotted the graffiti while recently attending the Battle of Britain day parade on September 15.

Mr Maguire, who started up a war memorial database around Norwich in 2007, said: “After seeing the graffiti during the Battle of Britain day, there was more a few days later.

The graffiti can be found on the walls next to the steps, leading up to the memorial garden (Image: Newsquest)“Obviously the people who are doing this sort of thing don’t understand the significance of the memorial and what it stands for.

“People gave their lives so that we could live in freedom.

“I contacted the Norwich City Council on September 21 and warned them if the tags aren’t removed quickly more will follow, much like to has already.

The First and Second World War memorial, opposite Norwich City Hall (Image: Newsquest)“It’s like a virus, once one gets put up they’ll start cropping up everywhere.

“Something needs to be done and quickly.”

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said: “The type of stone and listing status of the gardens means that a specialist is needed to clean the graffiti, which is currently being arranged.”

Mr Maguire believes that the state of the city has “deteriorated over the last five years” adding: “If the city is kept clean it provides less incentive for others to do it.

The Norwich City Council has been informed of the graffiti (Image: Newsquest)READ MORE: Grade II listed four-floor townhouse in King Street, on sale for £250,000

“There doesn’t seem to be enough done keeping the city clean.

“The memorial, for example, should have CCTV around to keep watch over the area and hopefully one day these people will get caught.

“People don’t seem to realise the history behind the memorial.”

There is a sign next to the graffiti asking people to please treat the area with respect (Image: Newsquest)