A COMMUNITY has been outraged after vandals took “pot shots” at a war memorial with an airgun.

Campaigners found the helmet on the memorial at Easington Lane Access Point on Brick Garth, Easington Lane, Wearside, had been damaged between Monday September 29 and Sunday October 12.

The memorial includes three replica iron rifles and an original First World War helmet.

Centre manager Michelle Baines said: “We came down to check on the garden bed to make sure the weeds weren’t overgrown and we found it the helmet had been shot at by an air rifle.

“The paint was chipped off and it has a dint in. We are devastated that something could do something like that.”

Houghton Neighbourhood Inspector Lisa Musgrove said: "This is an upsetting crime. For someone to take what appears to be pot shots at a war memorial is a particularly callous act.

“The damage to the memorial is not just costly to repair, but more than that is the emotional upset of this act.

"We are appealing for witnesses to this incident. We'd like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area to contact police. These sorts of crime also affect the wider community, especially as we're now coming up to Remembrance Day, and the focus is once again on those who died serving their country."

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police 101, extension 69191, quoting log number 498 of 17/10/14 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.