A disturbing act of vandalism occurred at the memorial of the late Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was tragically murdered in 2013. The memorial, located just meters from where Rigby was attacked outside Woolwich barracks, suffered significant damage on Sunday. Local police have confirmed the arrest of a man at the scene.
The vandalism involved the destruction of plant pots and the uprooting of flowers dedicated to Rigby, a tribute planted by the Royal Borough of Greenwich following his death. A tree and memorial stone at the site were also damaged.
The incident was reported to the Metropolitan Police at 12:47 PM on Sunday, leading to the swift arrest of the suspect. Connor Tuxford, a 31-year-old warehouse operative and local resident, witnessed the arrest. “I saw this guy ripping up all the flowers and smashing some jars. After he was taken away, I cleaned up the memorial because no one else did,” Tuxford recounted. His efforts were met with applause from onlookers, moved by his gesture of respect.
Tuxford also noted that the suspect appeared to be seeking attention, sitting conspicuously at the scene until police arrived. According to the police, the act of vandalism was captured on CCTV, which aided in the quick response and apprehension of the suspect.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated, “Officers attended and a man was arrested at the location. He has been taken to police custody.”
The community has expressed outrage and sorrow over the disrespect shown to Rigby’s memory, emphasizing the importance of preserving such memorials as sacred reminders of those lost to violence. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available
