"It’s absolutely tragic, heartbreaking” – Mansfield war memorial defaced with sexually explicit graffiti
Police are investigating after callous vandals sprayed sexually explicit graffiti on a memorial commemorating the lives of 27 Mansfield men who lost their lives in World War One and World War Two.
Nottinghamshire Police said the vandalism was reported at 1.22pm on Thursday at the Old Meeting House Unitarian Chapel in Stockwell Gate, Mansfield.
The memorial incorporates commemorative plaques, which record the names of 22 members of the Unitarian Chapel community who lost their lives in World War One and five who lost their lives in World War Two.
Peter Faulkner Trustee at the Old Meeting House Unitarian Chapel said: “It’s absolutely tragic, heartbreaking. When we made the discovering we couldn’t believe it. This war memorial commemorates the lives of 22 Mansfield men who gave their lives in World War One and five in World War Two and the fact someone would do this is just appalling. ”We still have chapel members who remember the the five men who lost their lives in World War Two and many who still come down and leave tributes so this is just heartbreaking for everyone.
“The good news is the council came very quickly and removed the graffiti.
"Residents on our Facebook page have gone absolutely ballistic about this, people in Mansfield are outraged."
Reverend Maria Pap added: "For me, that war memorial is a sacred place, and I am very, very angry at what has happened."
Councillor Angie Jackson, Portfolio Holders for Wellbeing, Health and Safer Communities, said: "We are appalled by the senseless vandalism of the war memorial at the Old Meeting House. Our cleansing team is going out to remove the graffiti as soon as possible, and we will be supporting any police investigation with regards this matter."
Sgt Cat Darby, of Nottinghamshire Police, said "This is a mindless act of vandalism that I know will cause a great deal of offence in the wider community.
"We have no idea why anyone would want to do this, but look forward to asking the perpetrator in person.
“To this end we’d like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 368 of 16 April 2026.