A memorial to Jewish refugees has been damaged in Brighton, police said this morning (Monday 27 November).
Sussex Police said: “Police are appealing for witnesses and information following damage caused to a memorial tree in Preston Park, Brighton.
“The incident happened overnight between Saturday 4 November and Sunday 5 November.
“The tree was a memorial in honour of Jewish refugees who fled Austria at the start of the Second World War, finding a refuge in the United Kingdom.
“It is believed a vehicle drove across the park towards the tree, which is located at the eastern side on the park, and deliberately caused damage to the tree and the memorial plaque from the Association of Jewish Refugees.
“Sussex Police is aware that the ongoing conflict in Israel and in Gaza is generating public concern and is impacting communities globally and locally and we extend our support to those affected in Sussex.
“The force has increased visibility across parts of Sussex to provide an increased presence and reassurance to our local communities.
“We recognise there is the potential for increased tensions and are engaging and working with communities and partners to ensure people feel safe and protected.
“Anyone who experiences threatening behaviour or is worried about their safety is urged to contact the police.
“We remain committed to ensuring any reported offences are fully investigated in line with relevant legislation and take all factors into account.
“Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident, including those with details or footage of vehicles in the area at the time, is asked to report it to Sussex Police online or call 101 and quote serial 714 of 14/11.”
Shocking that this happens in our City, these people should be run out of town like Mosely’s blackshirts. No place for hate in this City!!!!
Not run out of city.
Run down like the tree. So to these plonkers a tree is their enemy.
And you can bet your life this would not have happened if it concerned refugees from certain other countries.
Vehicles shouldn’t be able to drive into Preston Park, but surely there is enough CCTV to identify the vehicle.
I hope this is nothing to do with certain events happening in our world, imagine if it been planted in aid of Russian Jewish refugees. Which my grandmother was one.
I’m wondering if someone did this by accident. If you want to damage a little tree like this it would be easier just to kick it than go to the effort of driving a car on a wet lawn. Have they checked to see if Cityparks and Cityclean were in the park and might have done this by accident? We had a fountain damaged by a van in our park with everyone denying responsibility and we have had plenty of trees damaged and plants stolen. It doesn’t look very big.
Damaged? Killed more like. Perhaps the perpetrators deserve the same treatment. Or else pay for another tree and plaque and plant it, with Jewish friends in attendance. Seashell sunset i think you are trying to make excuses.