A?WAR MEMORIAL, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, has been removed from its location in Camelford, after vandals made it unsafe, writes Suzanne Cleave.

At a meeting of the town council, held last Thursday, the Mayor of Camelford, Cllr Rob Rotchell, reported that they had to lay the war memorial flat, after it had been 'rocked' and made unsafe.

The council decided to lay it flat as they did not "want it falling on anybody."

Cllr Rotchell said the council could include it in future Enfield Park discussions, and also to talk about the matter with Mr Keith Hill — who was instrumental in getting a war memorial in the town — about whether they could keep the war memorial in Enfield Park but perhaps not in its current location.

Cllr Brian Lush said: "We're getting increased trouble on Friday nights. It's not youngsters and there's still no police policing on a Friday night."

Cllr Rotchell said he was aware of the urgency to get the war memorial fixed before Remembrance Sunday, adding: "We're mindful of the safety but we're also mindful of getting it done before November."

Mr Hill attended the meeting and showed the councillors photos of the committee who worked tirelessly to get a war memorial erected in Camelford.

He said: "It's terrible. I think it should be reported to the police. If it's left, it will go on. In my day we wouldn't think of doing such a thing."

Cllr Rotchell said: "It's deliberately been rocked. We've put it flat for safety reasons."

Mr Hill asked the council if they would move the stone to a safe storage area to ensure it was not vandalised further.

He was assured by Cllr Rotchell that the stone would be moved to a safe place for the short term until they decide where its permanent home will be.

"When we discuss the location long term, we'll talk to you."

Following the meeting, Mr Hill told the 'Post': "It's disgraceful. It's lucky there was nobody hurt, but if whoever was responsible for making it loose had had it fall on their leg or anything, we would have had the ambulance there in ten minutes and the police and I, myself, would probably have had the parents of the person responsible on the phone asking for compensation."

The war memorial was put up around five years ago after public donations paid for a permanent tribute to the war dead in the town centre.

This is the first incident of trouble, but Mr Hill said there needs to be a greater police presence in the town, especially later on in the evening when groups of youngsters congregate.

"All of it is uncalled for," he added.

Tell us what you think about the vandals' actions. Email [email protected]">[email protected] phone 01566 778212 or write to Tindle House, Westgate Street, Launceston, PL15 7AL.