Anger over theft of River of Life plaque tribute to Warrington boys killed in IRA bomb

10:10am Friday 18th May 2012 in News

The plaque The plaque

LEADERS in the community have reacted angrily after a plaque from the River of Life memorial was stolen.

The commemorative symbol depicts the town’s tribute to Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball, who died in the IRA bomb in 1993.

The Bishop of Warrington, The Rt Rev Richard Blackburn, has condemned those responsible for the ‘appalling’ theft.

He said: ““This is senseless vandalism grieving not only the families but the whole community. I appeal to all who have any information to assist the Police and help take this investigation forward. My prayers are with the families as they cope with this appalling news.”

MEP Brian Simpson also hit out at the disturbing crime. He said: “I am disgusted that anyone could stoop so low, despite the desperate economic climate.

“I was in town on the day of the bombing and it is something I shall never forget.

“This reinforces my belief that scrap merchants should be better regulated and weed out rogue dealers.”

And David Mowat, Warrington South MP, also condemned the crime.

He added: "I am shocked and repulsed by how low these mindless vandals have stooped.

"The River of Life project commemorates a horrific attack which cost the lives of two young boys.

“As a piece of metal, it can’t have been worth more than about 30 quid, but as a permanent memorial to a tragedy it was an important part of our town’s heritage.

“If anyone has any information about this plaque, I would urge them to contact the police so that whoever is responsible can face the full force of the law.”

Helen Jones, Warrington North MP, said: "This is a despicable crime which must cause real pain to the families of both the boys who were killed and the many people injured in the Warrington bombing.

"I am proud of the way Warrington reacted to the bombing by trying to support constructive work for peace and this theft must impact on the whole town.

"Anyone who knows anything about it should get in touch with the police immediately."

Police are vague about when the plaque was removed but believe it was sometime between April 20 and May 5.

An arrest has yet to be made and they are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.

The theft follows an incident on April 21 when Spartakas Grachauskas was arrested for attempting to steal a different part of the memorial.

He is due at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday.

Comments(20)

Sankey says...
10:25am Fri 18 May 12

Just when you thought you have heard everything...

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Melonfish says...
10:43am Fri 18 May 12

Big question, where's the cctv footage? who's going through the tapes?
or are they tapes used on a rota basis and already been overwritten?
How much would this cost to replace, i mean if we all chip in £1 we could have this replaced in no time. meantime the police can track down, corner and beat the culprit, they can say he fell down the stairs and i doubt anyone will mind!

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Bevan1 says...
10:44am Fri 18 May 12

These F*****G SCUM make my blood boil.......

I was 12 and on Bridge Street when the bombs went off. I was walking to meet my Mother outside Changes after going to M&S to buy her Mothers Day present. I couldn't find my Mum so started the 1 mile walk home this took me 3 hours, I have never been so scared and my parents were distraught.

I hope these B******DS hand themselves in because if I get my hands on them I will not be responsible of my actions.

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Flash says...
11:29am Fri 18 May 12

Melonfish, what a great idea. It was never the value of the plaque but the sentimental place it holds to the Warrington People which is priceless. If the Guardian or someone were to start a petition to replace it I for one would donate immediately. Maybe now should be a time for unity in our disgust and a show of support to replace it while the Police investigate.

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Melonfish says...
12:50pm Fri 18 May 12

Flash wrote:
Melonfish, what a great idea. It was never the value of the plaque but the sentimental place it holds to the Warrington People which is priceless. If the Guardian or someone were to start a petition to replace it I for one would donate immediately. Maybe now should be a time for unity in our disgust and a show of support to replace it while the Police investigate.
Absolutely, the Guardian should host a campaign to replace this, ask for donations, i reckon more then just people from warrington would donate!
i'd do it but i have no idea how?

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PadgatePaul says...
12:58pm Fri 18 May 12

What needs to happen now is once the offender or offenders are caught the long arm of the law (and more so the judges) need to come down on them like a tonne of bricks. If a Warrington lad can get 4 years for writing on Facebook (Which I agree with) then this deserves 7 years in jail, and to serve the full amount, not out on tag after 3 months.

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SWSmith says...
1:30pm Fri 18 May 12

Obviously a dreadful and disgraceful act.

However, this story was first reported quietly in the back pages of this website a week or so ago.

What I cannot understand is how, given it was stolen 2-4 weeks ago, it's now top billing on North West news, and all over the national news bulletins?

The police for some reason don't know when it was stolen which is scandalous in itself. One suspects the story has been vastly promoted in order to gain (quite rightly too) mass outcry - which conveniently shadows the mysterious vague police work on this one.

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warringtonjohn says...
1:34pm Fri 18 May 12

Words simply cannot express my sadness and disbelief that someone could stoop this low. I would also like to see a fund set up to pay for a replacement plaque. My thoughts go out to the families of both boys in what must be a very upsetting matter for them.

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Freeborn John says...
1:51pm Fri 18 May 12

Someone was caught in the act trying to steal part of the River of Life several weeks ago and duly charged.
Comments on that incident were not accepted on this web site.
Hopefully now that this news story has gone national that won't be the case this time.

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chumhill says...
2:23pm Fri 18 May 12

Flash wrote:
Melonfish, what a great idea. It was never the value of the plaque but the sentimental place it holds to the Warrington People which is priceless. If the Guardian or someone were to start a petition to replace it I for one would donate immediately. Maybe now should be a time for unity in our disgust and a show of support to replace it while the Police investigate.
Totally agree

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whytem82 says...
3:54pm Fri 18 May 12

Agree with everything thats been put absolute tramps.
Why wasn't this picked up on CCTV though, has the council turned them off as a cost cutting measure? Wouldn't surprise me!

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Clare White says...
5:58pm Fri 18 May 12

Response from Clare White, Chief Executive at the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace: "Today we have been inundated with calls from organizations and individuals across the country offering to replace the plaque. The level of support nationally has been humbling. We would like to thank those individuals who have made a donation to support the Foundation's work and ask that people continue to follow Colin and Wendy’s example in taking a positive approach to managing conflict, rather than engaging in any negative actions as a result of this incident.

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the dr who says...
6:01pm Fri 18 May 12

come on metal theft goes on every day all over the country, church's are stripped on a daily basis

until the police make regular visits and i mean daily the thefts will continue scrap yards are more to blame than the thief. if it wasnt so easy to get money for the metal the wouldnt steal it.

but the cameras spot someone peeing in the street, but dont see the theft of a large plate being carried out of the town center, you cant put it under your coat or down the trousers can you

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johnyboy01 says...
6:07pm Fri 18 May 12

The thieving bastards, want putting in stocks in the middle of town so everyone can stone them and then have their hands off

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johnyboy01 says...
6:08pm Fri 18 May 12

The thieving bastards, want putting in stocks in the middle of town so everyone can stone them and then have their hands cut off
(should say)

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bellyblue says...
7:26pm Fri 18 May 12

Someone must know who done this, either a scrap yard or someone around town... cctv questions need to be answered as why No statment has been made??

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Deejay44 says...
7:54pm Fri 18 May 12

Words escape me

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howleyhowler says...
10:24pm Fri 18 May 12

Sankey wrote:
Just when you thought you have heard everything...
I am sure that it is probable just a coincidence that the theft of the memorial plaque occurred when Warrington Guardian reported on the arrival of the Traveling fraternity descending illegally in to Warrington, .......again....

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thatracoonstolemybacon says...
10:04am Sun 20 May 12

johnyboy01 wrote:
The thieving bastards, want putting in stocks in the middle of town so everyone can stone them and then have their hands cut off
(should say)
A Tarring and feathering is in order for the culprit or prits outside the town hall.Then parade them around Warrington.

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Turnaround says...
4:31pm Wed 23 May 12

Anyone know why the police are not sure when the plaque was stolen? 20th April to 5 th May seems a very long time! How did those dates get estimated? What kind of controls ARE there over scrap merchants, if any?

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