A POLICE officer has slammed vandals who left a grieving mother devastated after they damaged a bench installed in memory of her late daughter.

The bench was installed in Saltwell Park, Gateshead, after the death of 13-year-old Grace in 2015.

Her family, whose surname is not being disclosed, would regularly visit the bench to remember Grace and would take comfort from knowing that it had been installed in her memory.

But they have now been left devastated after they visited the park on Sunday, July 8, to find it had been damaged by vandals.

The planks at the back of the bench had been dislodged and removed at the hands of suspected vandals.

Police are carrying out inquiries into the damage and have now condemned those responsible and asked them to 'do the right thing' by coming forward.

PC Jenna Warne, of the Gateshead Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This vandalism has understandably left Grace’s family very upset.

"This bench meant an incredible amount to them and they are struggling to understand why anybody would want to do this.

"We are carrying out enquiries to identify who is responsible for this damage and establish exactly what has happened.

"I would urge those responsible, or anyone who knows what happened to the bench, to do the right thing and contact police."

The damage is believed to have taken place between 5pm on Sunday, June 24, and 11.45am on Sunday, July 8, and police are encouraging anyone who can help the investigation to come forward.

  • Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log 1134 10/07/18 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
  • You can also contact police by filling out an online form at www.northumbria.police.uk/contact or by emailing the OIC on 3489@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.