A man has been arrested after the memorials in tribute to two murdered Leeds police officers were vandalised at the weekend.
Black paint was daubed on a memorial to PC Ian Broadhurst and a memorial to Sgt John Speed on Saturday night and flowers honouring PC Broadhurst were also found strewn around the site.
West Yorkshire Police officers said a 56-year-old man from Leeds was arrested last night on suspicion of intentionally causing a public nuisance in relation to the incidents on Saturday evening.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Sarah Lambert is the Leeds District Head of Crime and Safeguarding.
The memorial stones that were targeted honour both officers who were killed in the line of duty
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She said: “Both memorial stones have been cleaned and are being fully restored by the Police Memorial Trust, which owns and maintains the memorials.
“The arrested man remains in custody and detectives from Leeds District CID are continuing to progress the investigation.
“We are grateful to everyone who has contacted us with information or shared messages of support recognising the impact of this incident.”
The memorial stones that were targeted honour both officers who were killed in the line of duty.
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Black paint was daubed on a memorial to PC Ian Broadhurst and a memorial to Sgt John Speed on Saturday night
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PC Broadhurst was 34 years old when he died after being shot in the head and chest by former US marine David Bieber on Boxing Day 2003 in the Fearnville area of Leeds.
He and two colleagues – who survived the attack – had been carrying out checks on a suspected stolen car.
Sgt Speed was shot dead at the age of 39 near Leeds Minster in 1984 while performing a routine check on two suspicious men.
He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Anyone with information on the vandalism to the memorial stones is asked by police to come forward to help with investigations by contacting Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101 quoting crime reference 13250046082 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat.