Police investigating alleged vandalism of Redcar WWI sand sculptures

By Kris Jepson

Cleveland Police are analysing CCTV as part of an investigation into the alleged vandalism of sand sculptures in Redcar, Teesside.

The sculptures were created by sculptors from around Europe and commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Great War.

Five out of the six sand sculptures at Majuba Beach, outside the Tuned In building, were damaged at around five o'clock on Thursday morning, with nearby CCTV footage allegedly showing several youths carrying out the damage.

Watch @krisjepson's report here:

The sculptures celebrate local characters connected to WWI, including the Biggles author WE Johns, who was a flying instructor at Marske, Captain John Bell DSC, the Redcar cargo ship skipper who was the first to ram a German submarine in the First World War, and Redcar Pierrot clown entertainer Billy Scarrow.

The Royal British Legion, who attended the sand sculpture inspired by London Whitehall's Cenotaph to remember those who had fallen during the Great War when the sculptures were unveiled in May, said it is a "mindless act of vandalism".

Redcar and Cleveland Council estimate it will cost around £2,000 to repair the sculptures, which were created by sculptors from across Europe.

If the money cannot be found to pay for the repairs, the sand will most likely be donated to community projects.

Cllr Carl Quartermain said if the sculptures are damaged for good, it will have a negative effect on the local economy.