Government backs War Memorial Desecration Campaign
23rd February 2011
Following the campaign led by David Burrowes MP, Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate, and supported by the Daily Telegraph to increase sentences for desecration of war memorials the Justice Minister, Crispin Blunt MP, has agreed to recommend a change to sentencing guidelines. The Minister has accepted that the guidelines for offences of criminal damage do not reflect the seriousness of war memorial desecration and need amending. The recommendation will be made to the Sentencing Council as soon as possible.
David Burrowes responded to the Government's decision: “I am pleased that the Government has accepted the central point of the campaign which was the need to specifically recognise the gravity of desecration to war memorials. Our solemn vow not to forget the fallen extends to our response when war memorials are desecrated. The Government has acknowledged the gap in sentencing offences of desecration and I am glad that the Minister is recommending guidelines to fill it. I look forward to sentences providing better protection for the dignity of the war memorials and the memories of the brave servicemen they commemorate.”
