THE former commander of Catterick Garrison said he is "incensed and angry" after a part of the memorial on the Camp Roundabout was vandalised.

After a grand opening in December 2018 by guest of honour, war veteran David Evans, the long-awaited memorial at Catterick Garrison was complemented by a carved wooden information board outlining the camp’s history.

Overnight last Friday and Saturday, this information panel was deliberately damaged beyond repair, and the culprits are now being sought by the police.

It was the idea of former Commander of Catterick Garrison Lieutenant Colonel Joe Jordan, who spent a great deal of time and effort planning and fundraising for the memorial. He says he is both incensed and angry.

Now retired from the Army, he added: “After all the work that we put into creating the memorial, that someone has destroyed it in an act of pure vandalism is very disappointing and disrespectful towards the fallen.”

The crime was reported to Catterick Garrison police on Saturday afternoon and is believed to have taken place overnight. It is being investigated by PC Sean Godfrey. Several lines of enquiry are being pursued, including the examination of CCTV footage.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

A police spokesman asked that anyone with information about the act of vandalism should contact the police on 101 or alternatively ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Officers are especially interested if any passing motorists noticed any suspicious behaviour or has dashcam footage.

Replacement of the information board is estimated to cost several hundred pounds, but L/Col Jordan is determined that it will be fixed and reinstalled. The work will be carried out by Veterans Woodcraft, who removed the damaged articles, as they made the original.

Simpson Millar Solicitors, which is to open an office on the Garrison in October, has stepped forward and agreed to cover the costs of its replacement.