A WOODEN cannon has been damaged and graffiti has been sprayed onto a statue following a vandalism attack in a Worcester park.

Vandals destroyed a wooden cannon in Fort Royal Park, spray painted a plaque with “BLM”, and spray painted the children’s play area saying “f*** off.” The main target of the attack was the monument to all those who fought and died in the Battle of Worcester.

Paul Harding, from Discover History – a history education service – said he is “very sad” about the vandalism.

Mr Harding said: “This is one of the teaching aids used by Discover History when we conduct battlefield tours of Worcester. The features are useful when explaining the role of the Fort in 1651. Children especially can really see how the Fort looked.

“This is just very sad. I wish people knew how much it costs for such features and more so, how much it will cost to repair or replace them.

“It’s such a shame. Worcester saw a BLM peaceful protest on Pitchcroft and this award winning park is the most culturally diverse in Worcester.

“The park was designed by local school children."

Jabba Riaz, former Worcester mayor and city councillor for Cathedral ward, told the Worcester News: “We don’t know who did this but it’s been calculated that it was done to provoke a reaction.

“Someone has manipulated the area – I find it shocking as the park has got a lot of history and marks the Battle of Worcester.

“It’s a dagger to the heart of everything I and the local community have done to get this park recognised internationally.

“Time and time again people have tried to divide our city, but we come together and always come out stronger the other side.”

He posted on Facebook: “If anyone has any information on the mindless vandalism that has taken place in Fort Royal Park overnight then please report it to the police.

“This is totally unacceptable, and I condemn it unequivocally, do the perpetrators even know what the civil war was all about?

“If you think your representing the BLM then you’re not, if you think your standing up for racism and injustice you’re not , if you think you will redress the rights or wrongs of past generations by vandalism you will only turn people away from your message.

“If you’re a infiltrator and false flag operator trying to stir up trouble then know no matter what you do our community in Cathedral and this beautiful city we will overcome and unite as we heal we Have respect and tolerance .

“The saddening aspect of this is that this is a park I worked so hard to get funding for I secured £250,000 in funding after years of struggle as it was the most neglected park in this city with a forgotten history, to redevelop add in children’s play area and then celebrate Worcester’s history I am deeply hurt.”

Councillor Lynn Denham, who is chair of the Friends of Fort Royal Park, posted on Facebook: “I know how loved this park is by so many people (including me).

“It is historically important to our city and to democracy. We have always celebrated the diversity of our communities in the park and will continue to do so.”

A spokesman from BLM Worcester said: "We are very upset about what’s happened at Fort Royal. We completely condemn this act of utter lawlessness. We clarify that we have nothing to do with this whatsoever and that we are opposed to all violent tactics.

"Whoever did this is not affiliated with BLM. It’s someone trying to sabotage the hard work and progress that we have made thus far. It’s upsetting that this has happened but we have always been peaceful and law abiding and we will always remain as such.

"We also offer our full services to clean up this mess, we care about our community and want to ensure it’s a safe place for everyone. So we will help out in any way that we can. Our strives for justice cannot and will not be discouraged. Let us work towards the goal of a more just and equal society for everyone."

The two cannons and the two interpretation boards have now been removed from the site and taken to a safe place. The graffiti from the Battle of Worcester bronze plaque and also from the children’s play areas have been removed.

Police are appealing for information on the vandalism which took place between 3pm on June 15 and 7am on June 16.

Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Dave Troth said: “We would appreciate the communities help with our appeal for information in relation to anyone acting suspiciously around the Fort Royal Park area or if anyone has seen the damage take place overnight.

“We believe that this damage would have caused a significant noise and disturbance, so we are hopefully someone will be able to come forward with any information that may help us.”

“Although the graffiti shows BLM, the acronym for Black Lives Matters, we will be looking at all possible groups and individuals that may have caused this damage.

“You can assist us with information by calling 101 or report on our website. We have increased our patrols of safer neighbourhood officers in the area, who you can also give information to.”

Anyone with information on this incidents is asked to contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting 0091S 160620. The main target of the attack was the monument to all those who fought and died in the Battle of Worcester.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “We are very disappointed by the senseless vandalism in Fort Royal Park. The main target of the attack was the beautiful and much-loved monument to all those who fought and died in the Battle of Worcester, an important moment in our city and our country’s history. We are working closely with the Police to help them to identify the perpetrators of this crime. The two cannons and the two interpretation boards have now been removed from the site and taken to a safe place. They will be repaired and restored to their rightful position in coming months. We have removed graffiti from the Battle of Worcester bronze plaque and also from the children’s play areas.”