Bermondsey residents up in arms after arson at war memorial

By Grainne Cuffe, local democracy reporter

Bermondsey locals are furious after a memorial dedicated to war heros who lost their lives was set on fire.

A wreath on the Bermondsey and Rotherhithe War Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices made by local people in both World Wars, was set alight in the early hours of Tuesday morning (August 24).

After locals reported the vandalism to Southwark Council, workers came and cleaned it up.

The memorial, which was unveiled in 1921 and is Grade II listed, is much cherished in the area, with locals appalled to find out what had happened.

Melissa Tran, who works at the beauty salon just beside the memorial, said when she saw the damage she felt like it had been done to her grandfather’s grave.

The 50-year-old said: “This has never happened before. People were very angry and upset. People cried.

“Young men wanted to kill whoever had done it.

“What they did is so wrong. When I saw that it felt like someone had burnt my grandfather’s grave – how could someone do that?”

She said the vandalism “felt violent”.

Melissa added: “We should be grateful for what they did, if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be here today with this life.”

The incident happened at around 1.40am on Tuesday (August 24). London Fire Brigade (LFB) arrived shortly after to put out the blaze.

Carol, who lives across the road from the memorial and did not wish to give a last name, said it was “disgraceful”.

She added: “It’s an absolute disgrace. I didn’t have a clue what was going on until I got up in the morning and the council was cleaning it.

“I feel sick – who would do that? That was more than desecration – they set it on fire. It’s a war memorial.

“I feel proud of Southwark Council because the problem was highlighted and they came with pressure washers and did a really good job of cleaning it up.

“I just don’t understand who would do that.”

Carol said when she was offered her flat she moved into because it was across from the memorial.

She continued: “I’m very respectful of ex-servicemen, current servicemen, and future servicemen.

“And for me to come out the door every day and see that is wonderful.”

Other residents said what happened was “very sad” and “offensive” to those who gave their lives during the war.

The Poppy Appeal is set to lay another wreath on the memorial on Wednesday (August 25).

The Met Police is investigating the incident but have yet to make an arrest.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Police in Southwark are investigating an incident of criminal damage to a local war memorial.

“The damage appears to have been caused by a wreath being set on fire at the war memorial at West Lane, in the early hours of Tuesday, August 24.

“Officers from North Bermondsey neighbourhood policing team and borough partners have been made aware and an investigation has been launched by detectives from Central South Command.

“There have been no arrests. Enquiries are underway to identify any potential suspects.”