MP seeks memorial vandals penalty

Bronze plaques were stolen from Broomfield Park in August

A London MP has called for a change in the law to bring in longer jail terms for vandals desecrating war memorials.

David Burrowes, MP for Enfield and Southgate, wants such acts to be classed as serious criminal damage with a maximum of 10 years in prison.

The north London MP's call for tougher penalties comes after thieves stole bronze plaques from a war memorial in Broomfield Park, Enfield, on 14 August.

The Conservative justice spokesman will table a bill in the Commons later.

The stolen plaques listed the names of servicemen and civilians killed during the Blitz.

Currently vandals get a three month penalty and the cases are referred to a Crown court only if the damage is more than £5,000.

Mr Burrowes said the bill was needed "to remember those who've lost their lives and to ensure that those mindless vandals who desecrate our war memorials know that they can't just get away with thinking that it is just a bit of mindless vandalism.

"It is a serious act of criminal damage and an attack on us as a country and it needs to be reflected in more than just the maximum of three months in a magistrates' court.

"The magistrates need to have the option if necessary to move it up the road to a Crown court and make sure it is more than a slap on the wrist."

The MP said he hopes to get cross-party support for the bill.