Statue of Durham miner, Freddie Gilroy, targeted in vandal attack (From The Northern Echo)

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Statue of Durham miner, Freddie Gilroy, targeted in vandal attack

10:39am Friday 27th January 2012 in Durham City News Photograph of the Author By Matt Westcott

The vandlised statue is cleaned by a worker. Pic: Tony Bartholemew

A STATUE of a Durham miner enjoying life at the seaside has been vandalised.

The depiction of Freddie Gilroy by County Durham artist Ray Lonsdale was bought by a Scarborough pensioner for £40,000.

But last night it was daubed with yellow paint.

Mr Gilroy led the last survivors out of Belsen during World War Two.

Police were called to the scene on Marine Drive overlooking North Bay by a member of the public at 8.15pm last night.

Officers are now appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area of the statue last night or knows who is responsible to come forward.

Inspector Tony Quinn of Scarborough’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The statue is much-loved by people in the town and many residents are very angry about this mindless vandalism.

“The statue was kindly saved for the town by a local resident at considerable cost and the incident has deeply upset local people.

“We will do everything in our power to find those responsible and are seeking the help of members of the public to help find the suspects.

“We are appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of the statue prior to 8.15pm on Thursday evening, or anyone who believes they know who is responsible.

“We are also appealing to any shop owners who recall selling yellow gloss paint to anyone, any parents whose children or teenagers were out last night and may have had access to yellow paint, to please contact the police as soon as possible.

“It is vital that the people responsible are held to account for their actions.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Alex Parker.

If you do not want to give your name, you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Comments(8)

the challenger says...
11:01am Fri 27 Jan 12

Mindless wanton vandalism.There are no other words to describe this act.Request local businesses and shops to trawl their cctv and have local authority cctv viewed until the person responsible is identified.The elderly lady who purchased the statue of Freddie Gilroy for the town must be feeling disheartened at the disrespect shown by a mindless moron.When that person responsible is identified I know what most people would want to see as punishment.At the very least they should be put to work removing graffiti from every wall in Scarborough until they understand the effect that this mindless vandalism has on our communities,not to mention the cost to tax payers.