Police support officers are guarding the Cenotaph in Rochdale after 'Free Palestine' was painted across it ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
Community Support Officers were stationed by the cenotaph on Tuesday night, 7 November, which the force said is "currently a crime scene".
Rochdale Borough Council said on X, formerly Twitter, that it "removed and replaced a number of damaged poppy wreaths" after the incident.The council also referenced a second incident at the Cenotaph which it said occurred on Tuesday afternoon and involved graffiti being sprayed on the war memorial. The local authority labelled it "totally unacceptable".
Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter, GMP Rochdale district commander, said: "We join communities across Rochdale in being deeply saddened by the incidents at the Cenotaph – the memorial is a particularly poignant reminder of those who have given their lives to our country, particularly at this time year.
She continued: "Whilst the area is regularly monitored by CCTV operators and passing patrols, the partnership is working to sustain increased protection at this time.
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