Residents in Warcop were stunned this morning to discover extensive damage at the war memorial on the village green.
A resident said a wagon of some description had wrecked the memorial and made a right mess with villagers shocked by the trail of damage at a key junction.
Photos from the scene, where poppy wreaths were laid earlier this month, show ripped up turf and damage to the ornamental wall surrounding the monument and what appears to be a painted parking stone displaced by a heavy vehicle.
Decorative fence posts have also been dragged down and the photos show heavy tyre tracks and displaced kerb stones gouged out.
The scene is close to the bridge over Crooks Beck and the signposted turn-off for the Warcop Training Facility, part of the Ministry of Defence.
Fortunately, the Grade II-listed large stone war memorial, commemorating those from the parish who lost their lives in their world wars, was avoided.
A muddy tyre print on the B6259 towards the A66 and Appleby leads away from the scene.
Cumbria Police said a complaint had been made at 9am this morning and the damage is suspected to have been caused by an articulated-type vehicle.
A spokesman said: “We would ask that anyone with information – particularly anyone who believes they may have footage of what has occurred – to get in touch.”
You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit quoting incident number 35 of 28 November 2023. You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
