Vandals attack two separate memorials to murdered Leeds police officers with black paint

Memorials to two murdered police officers have been vandalised in Leeds, with the police condemning the act as "disgusting".

West Yorkshire Police say at 6.43pm on Saturday, January 25, they received a report relating to the memorial to PC Ian Broadhurst. PC Broadhurst was shot and killed on Dib Lane on Boxing Day, 2003.

The memorial has been damaged, with wreaths and flowers laid at the site strewn about and black paint sprayed on the memorial stone itself. The police say this took place between 6.10pm and 6.20pm.

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Then, at 9.06am on Sunday, the police were made aware of a similar attack at the memorial to Sgt John Speed, who was shot and killed on Kirkgate in Leeds city centre on October 31, 1984. Black paint had also been sprayed on this memorial at around 1am in the morning.

The police believe, taking into account the timings and similarities in damage, the attacks are linked.

Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds said: "It is absolutely disgusting that someone would deliberately deface the memorials honouring the memories of PC Ian Broadhurst and Sgt John Speed, who were murdered in the line of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to protect the public from armed and dangerous offenders.

"I know I speak for everyone in West Yorkshire Police and the wider policing family when I say how appalled we are about these incidents. PC Broadhurst’s memorial has now been cleaned, and Sgt Speed’s is due to be restored to its rightful condition shortly. Thankfully we don’t expect there to be any lasting damage to either.

"We are carrying out enquiries to identify who was responsible, and we are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed either incident, saw anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of either incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation."

If you have any information, you should contact the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team by calling 101, or by using live chat online. You can quote reference number 13250046082 when getting in touch.