'It just HURTS!' Martin Daubney chokes back tears after Stockport war memorial arson attack

Greater Manchester Police reported that wooden pallets were set alight close to the Cenotaph in Marple, Stockport, on Wednesday evening, leaving ground nearby damaged.

Officers were called to the scene alongside fire crews at around 9.50pm.

Sergeant Rachel Walton, from Stockport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said this was a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.

Speaking about the news with Mark, Martin said: "That's a big pile of tinder.

"It's been specifically and deliberately started. That's not accidental, is it?

In agreement, Mark commented: "I mean as I see people will rightly be very angry at that."

He added: "Given the period we're in at the moment as we all wear our poppies. It just beggars belief, Martin. I'm lost for words."

Martin continued: "It just really hurts. When you came in and you broke it, I thought it's just kids. It's just kids. Just it's just a bit of boredom.

"Because you want to hope, don't you? It's not something sinister. And we don't know that it is.

"But when you see the picture there, you see the size of that blaze. I think people will be mortified to see this."

In the immediate aftermath of the crime, police sergeant Rachel Walton said: "This was a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.

"Police units arrived on scene within minutes and the fire was quickly extinguished by colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

"We are working closely with partners at Stockport Council and the fire service to ensure the area is cleaned and restored.

“We want to identify the individuals responsible, and we will have extra, high-visibility patrols in the park each evening leading up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday, November 9."

Co-founder of Veterans for Veterans, Paul Doyle, issued a stark warning, saying that the organisation fears "such extremist behaviour could embolden others".

Mr Doyle is a former Grenadier Guard, served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Speaking to GB News, he blasted the "shameful act of disrespect towards those who served our country", adding that it has instilled "real anger and distress within the veteran community".

He added: "It also raises serious concerns as we approach Remembrance Sunday, a day when families and veterans gather peacefully to honour the fallen.

"We fear that such extremist behaviour could embolden others and pose a threat to these important and solemn commemorations that mean so much to so many."

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