Metal thieves strike again at war memorial

Thieves have stolen copper from an historic Walsall war memorial - while workmen carried out repairs following a previous vandal attack.

Metal has been stripped from the monument at Barr Beacon just a week after contractors started a near £10,000 project to restore the roof. Thieves forced their way through razor wire and corrugated sheets.

They climbed scaffolding and ripped metal off the 50ft memorial. Security is now being stepped up at the 240-acre site, off Beacon Road, Aldridge.

But the Barr Beacon Trust faces an extra £4,000 bill.

The attack overnight on Tuesday was discovered by contractors yesterday. It has delayed work at the stone structure.

The first theft took place in March.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council deputy leader and Barr Beacon Trust chairman, said: "The despicable action of the criminals responsible is sickening.

"This is a war memorial symbolising the tremendous sacrifices that service men and women have made for the likes of the mindless thieves who have carried out this theft. Have they no shame, no conscience?

"And what for? The scrap value of the metal they have taken is about £40. It is going to cost a darn sight more than that to put right their vandalism."

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) approved an application from Walsall Council for a £500,000 restoration project at the site. The council is now working on the second round of the HLF application process.

Councillor Andrew added: "We will now have to liaise with the HLF over this to ensure that the second round submission is not affected.

"I would urge anyone with any information that can help police catch the thieves to make sure they pass it on.

"We won't be beaten by the recklessness of a minority."