Tonight:
9°c
Vandals have damaged a newly erected memorial to the 52 people murdered in the 7/7 terror attacks.
The stainless-steel columns, representing each victim, have been sprayed with obscene graffiti less than two weeks after they were unveiled in Hyde Park.
The damage to the site will cause huge distress to the relatives of the dead, many of whom gathered when the London Bombings Memorial was unveiled by Prince Charles on the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Grahame Russell, whose son Philip, 28, a finance manager at JP Morgan, was killed at Tavistock Square, said: "I think it's appalling. This will be very hurtful for the families of the victims as they will feel their loved ones are not being considered."
The retired 66-year-old, from Peckham, who was on the advisory board for the memorial, added: "It's hugely disrespectful.
"The people that did this just have no moral judgment."
The 52 columns are 11ft 6in tall and have been grouped in four clusters, reflecting the separate locations of the explosions at King's Cross, Aldgate, Edgware Road and Tavistock Square.
Each is inscribed with the time, date and location of th e attacks.
The memorial was designed in consultation with members of the families of six victims with advice from sculptor Antony Gormley.
Reader views (13)
It is only expected as it's how they work. After the Madrid bombings and subsequent incident which left some policemen dead they tried to dig on of the police officer's bodies up.
- John, Llandudno, Wales
I was devastated at the original 7/7 Terrorist Attacks and am now VERY sad at this Graffiti attack on the victims' memorial. Keep your chin up London and keep on doing your best.
- Retiredscotsman, Illinois, USA
A very sad reflection of the society of today and the scum that walks the streets no respect for the living or dead !
- Linda Cliff, London
What do you expect it is after all in London, city of the uneducated masses !!!
- Nick Holland, glasgow
Im sure given enough time there will be statues and memorials all across England to the "fantastic four".
This is no surprise at all is it?
- Russell, London
I would have expected nothing less.We're talking about London here!
- Steve, London
I'm interested to know the content of the graffiti? Was it random nonsense or actually abusive towards the victims?
- Johnny Mac, Her Majesty's Pleasure
There is a lot of scum in London.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
The sickest thing of all is the lack of shock regarding this foul deed, how can we allow this type of thing to happen?,then we just shrug it off.The blame must lay at the door of Labour and successive governments for the horrible uncivilised,disrespectful and extremely dangerous society that we now find ourselves in,heaven help us all.
- Jacob, Canterbury England
Shocking! Disgraceful! I sincerely hope the police can bring these people to justice.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
Surely a modern mix of CCTV and putting offenders in the stocks for the public to abuse would give these people something to think about when choosing to commit a crime . . . ?
- Roz, France
Surely this must have been caught on CCTV. Or is this the only place in London that is not covered by a camera.
- Gareth, London
Sadly, you could have had no other expectation. The human race is the worst thing that ever happened to the world.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs
