Memorial to shot Pc vandalised again

The stone marks the place in Leeds where unarmed Pc Ian Broadhurst was gunned down on Boxing Day 2003.

Police said it appears that paint has been poured over the memorial stone.

It isn’t the first time the memorial has been damaged – in 2010 it was left blackened after it was doused in flammable liquid and set on fire.

It is believed the latest incident happened sometime between midday on Thursday and early Friday afternoon.

The memorial, which stands near to the junction of Dib Lane and Grange Park Avenue in the Fearnville area of the city, marks the location where Pc Broadhurst was shot by David Bieber on Boxing Day, 2003.

Pc Broadhurst, 34, and his colleagues PC Neil Roper and Pc James Banks were shot by David Bieber after they observed his vehicle was displaying false number plates while parked on Dib Lane.

In December 2004 Bieber, 42, was found guilty of Pc Broadhurst’s murder and two counts of attempted murder against Pc Neil Roper and Pc James Banks. He was sentenced to three life sentences with a recommendation that he should never be released.

This was overturned in July 2008 by the High Court who said that Bieber should serve a minimum of 37 years in prison before being considered for parole.

Chief Supt Richard Jackson, the divisional commander for north east Leeds, said yesterday: “Police officers go to work every day never knowing what could happen and thankfully few never make the ultimate sacrifice made by Ian Broadhurst.

“The memorial is a way for local people, local officers and Ian’s friends and family to mark the terrible events of December 26, 2003 and for someone to deliberately vandalise the memorial is about as despicable as it’s possible to get.

“I would ask the local community to come forward with any information they may have on those responsible so we can ensure they are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact the Killingbeck and Seacroft Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The memorial has been cleaned since the incident.