MINDLESS yobs have vandalised Droitwich’s landmark St Richard’s statue for the second time in four months.
And cash-strapped council bosses have said it would have to stay as it is was as they were unable to afford its repair at the current time.
The St Richard’s statue, which has been in Vines Park for more than 80 years, had its finger ripped off in March, at a cost of £380. It was also attacked back in 2006.
The latest incident, which will cost another £400 to put right, took place sometime between midday last Friday (May 29) and 9am on Monday (June 1) and it is unknown where the broken piece is.
Droitwich Mayor, Coun Graham Beale, said reports had been received about children trying to pull it over using a lifebelt and rope. But, he added, they had only managed to break off the top part of his staff just above his left hand.
Coun Beale said: “We are very fortunate they did not pull over the statue and smash it completely as St Richard is a very important figure in Droitwich history and therefore many people would have been devastated if that had happened.
“The problem is people sometimes see these things happening and do nothing about it, when I was child you would not dare do such a thing as we were taught to respect statues because they meant something to local people.
“We just hope people will keep their eyes open and will try to protect these important, historical features in the future.”
He added those responsible should be ashamed of themselves and appealed to any witnesses or anyone who knew who was responsible to come forward and help catch the culprits.
“Stopping them now, might stop a worse incident later in their lives,” said Coun Beale.
Lynn Stevens, Wychavon District Council’s parks officer, spoke of her disappointment that the ‘lovely repairs done earlier this spring by a specialist stone carver had already been ruined’.
She added the authority could not afford to keep repairing it for it to be vandalised again.
