CCTV footage shows men on Martin Place WWI Digger statue before damage
Three young men have handed themselves into police after a group of youths were captured on security camera damaging the Martin Place Cenotaph.
NSW
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Three young men have handed themselves into police after a group of youths were captured on security camera damaging the Martin Place Cenotaph in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The three men — aged 19, 20 and 21 — were arrested at Sutherland Police Station about 1.30pm on Monday.
It comes after those on the security footage were described as “morally bankrupt” by the Police Minister after they were shown climbing over the Martin Place Cenotaph in the city.
The footage shows the men, believed to be aged between 18 and 20, clamber over the statue at Martin Place Cenotaph just before 3.10am on Saturday.
Police believe one of the men caused damage to a statue of an infantryman after a bronze bayonet was discovered bent.
The man was wearing a dark shirt with red lettering on the back over a long-sleeved white shirt, long dark pants and dark shoes. He has light brown hair.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the culprits that they would face the “full force of the law”.
“I think it’s really hurtful that a small number of Australians don’t appreciate the sacrifices many Australians made, who lost their lives and lost their livelihoods over many, many decades for our freedoms,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It’s incumbent on us to make sure that every single Australian citizen is aware and grateful for the sacrifices made by our ex-servicemen and women.
“Anyone who defaces what is sacred to all of us will receive the full force of the law.”
Police Minister David Elliott said the vandalism showed blatant disrespect.
“I don’t know what type of sick individual would knowingly create such unnecessary anxiety among the defence family by showing such disrespect for our memorial. It’s criminal and morally bankrupt,” he said. “I’ll be asking the police to leave no stone unturned to endure the sacrifices made by our fallen are always honoured.”
RSL NSW President Ray James said: “I want to make it clear to these people that they have not just disrespected a statue – they have blatantly disrespected every person who has ever served in the Australian Defence Force and the families who have never been able to bury a loved one,” he said.
“The bronze soldier and sailor at Martin Place guard the memory of every service man and woman who have given their life so that we can all be free. It means a great deal to families, communities and the country and the disrespect shown to them on the weekend really beggars belief”.
Police confirmed on Sunday they were investigating the incident and Acting Superintendent Paul Dunstan will give an update on the matter on Monday.
The maximum penalty for damaging or desecrating a monument is $4400 although the maximum penalty for destroying or damaging property is five years jail.
Police believe the man who damaged the statue is wearing a dark shirt with red lettering on the back, over a long-sleeved white shirt, with long dark pants and dark shoes.
He has light brown hair.
The damage of a bronze bayonet was discovered on Saturday at a memorial and Police Minister David Elliott said it showed blatant disrespect.
“I don’t know what type of sick individual would knowingly create such unnecessary anxiety among the defence family by showing such disrespect for our memorial. It’s criminal and morally bankrupt,” he said.
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