A police investigation has been launched after a fire was started in a bin near a war memorial just days ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
Greater Manchester Police said 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.
The force said it has stepped up high-visibility patrols in the area leading up to Remembrance Sunday.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The blaze involved wooden pallets that had been set alight
| GREATER MANCHESTER POLICEPolice 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."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The ground near to the war memorial was left damaged following the blaze
|GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE
"The Cenotaph means a lot to the community and incidents like this are deeply upsetting, particularly at a time when we should be honouring the memory of our war veterans."
Police have appealed for people with information about the blaze to get in touch.
Co-founder of Veterans for Veterans, Paul Doyle, said the organisation fears "such extremist behaviour could embolden others".
Mr Doyle, who is a former Grenadier Guard, served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
He told GB News: "As a Manchester-based organisation supporting Veterans for Veterans the UK’s largest military claims company, we are deeply shocked and saddened to hear that a war memorial has been targeted here in our own city.
"This shameful act of disrespect towards those who served our country has caused real anger and distress within the veteran community.
"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."
More From GB News