‘If they knew what it was like to lose children in a war, they would show proper respect’
A fire close to the war memorial in Marple (Image: GMP)
Greater Manchester Police say they have launched an investigation after a fire was started near a war memorial on Bonfire Night (November 5).
Officers were called to Marple Memorial Park at around 9:50pm yesterday evening ‘following reports of a group of males near to the Cenotaph’.
A fire had been started in a bin and wooden pallets had been set alight, close to the cenotaph. Images shared by the force show a sizeable blaze roaring just metres from the granite cenotaph, which is Grade II listed.
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Police were on the scene ‘within minutes’ and the fire was extinguished by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service.
Police Sergeant Rachel Walton, of our Stockport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said in a statement: “This was a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.
“We are working closely with partners at Stockport Council and the fire service to ensure the area is cleaned and restored.
“We want to identify the individuals responsible, and we will have extra, high-visibility patrols in the park each evening leading up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday 9 November.
“The Cenotaph means a lot to the community and incidents like this are deeply upsetting, particularly at a time when we should be honouring the memory of our war veterans.”
Council staff repairing the tarmac today (November 6) (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Council officers were spotted at the scene today (November 6) carrying out repairs to the ground close to the cenotaph. The park it stands in was opened in 1922, built on land donated by local families to commemorate the local soldiers who died in World War One.
One such family was the Carver family, a prominent local family who owned Hollins Mill for a time and lost family members in the 1914-1918 conflict.
News of the incident has drawn strong reaction in local Facebook groups. Writing on the Marple Community Hub page, Malcom Allan said: “The emotional side of this is very significant. This is extremely upsetting for locals.
“It’s apparent the people who did this are fully into the rituals of Bonfire Night, but totally unaware of the significance of the Memorial and of the park itself.
“If they knew what it was like to lose three siblings/children in a war (as the Carver family did, stimulating the gifting of the park) I’m sure they would show proper respect.”
The aftermath of the blaze(Image: GMP)
“This is an absolutely disgraceful act and will not be tolerated,” wrote Marple North councillor Steve Gribbon on Facebook.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 9782, quoting log number 4223-051125.
The public can also contact police via 101 or via the reporting tools on GMP’s website, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.