Shocking images show part of New Brighton’s mermaid trail completely destroyed.
The mermaid statue in Vale park has been left in ruins after vandals set a vespa moped on fire near the statue.
According to one witness the incident happened at around 12:23pm with firefighters turning up a short time later to extinguish the blaze.
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She said on facebook: “It happened about 12:23. I just saw a flash of light, police here right away then the fire crew put it out.
“Looks like the remnants of a motorbike in the ashes”.
Merseyside Police suspect the incident is deliberate and are appealing for witnesses.
Community Policing Inspector Paul Harrison said: “We are making enquiries to establish the circumstances of this incident but it initially appears to be a deliberate, and may I say disgraceful, act of vandalism, which has destroyed part of a popular local attraction.
We and @WirralCouncil are appealing for info after a mermaid statue in #NewBrighton was damaged by a suspected arson. Anyone with info contact @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 30, or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111. See here for more info https://t.co/XWBgoDCnus pic.twitter.com/rd47oF3A5r
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) August 17, 2018
“People of all ages love walking and discovering these sculptures and to ruin this in such a way is heartless.
“I would urge anyone with information or who witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in the area of Vale Park last night to come forward with any information as soon as possible.
“We are determined to find those responsible and put them before the courts”.
The Vale Park mermaid is part of five statues that were unveiled to the public in June last year.
The statue was created by Barry Canning-Eaton and had been individually decorated by schools and community groups.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the social media desk @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference number 30 of 17 August, or you can call or the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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