A memorial bench placed in Moormede Park, Staines to commemorate the shocking deaths of 118 people in the 1972 in an air crash in Staines has once again been trashed by vandals. The Council is shocked at this show of heartlessness and lack of respect. This latest act of wanton destruction follows several others over the intervening years.
The bench was placed in the park to allow relatives and friends to have a quiet place to contemplate this terrible tragedy which was the worst disaster in Britain prior to the Pam Am Lockerbie bombing in 1988. An annual memorial service has been held in Staines since 2004.
Spelthorne Council is now considering replacing the bench with a metal version which will be sturdier and more of a deterrent. It is also seeking any witnesses to these crimes to come forward and contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 with any information they may have. It is also asking local residents to be watchful and report any information that may help the Police.
In addition, and subject to consultation with local people, the Council is considering putting some enhanced facilities for young people in the park.
The Mayor of Spelthorne, Councillor John O’Hara commented: “It is little short of shameful that this kind of activity should go on at all, let alone in a place like this. I hope that whoever has perpetrated this thoughtless action can be caught and appropriately punished. “It is important that those affected by this terrible incident can have a proper place to go and remember in their own way. As a Council we do this every year on the anniversary of the horrifying crash”.
Media enquiries to the communications team on 01784 446297/444260
