RESIDENTS in Purfleet have expressed their shock and disgust after vandals smashed up a memorial to the fallen.

Since 2018 when the end of the First World War was commemorated, an array of 'Tommys' was part of a display at the Purfleet Heritage Centre and Military Museum on Centurion Way on the Garrison estate.

The centre is run entirely by volunteers in a former Gunpowder magazine and is one of the borough's historical gems where a number of memorial events take place throughout the year and – in non-Covid times – the centre is opened twice a week to show off a large and unique collection of memorabilia and military artefacts.

Outside a tribute to the fallen was created in the form of silhouettes of solders but at some point in the last 24 hours they have been smashed, with the heads broken off one set and another broken away from its fixings.

The tribute has been in place since Purfleet's Battle's Over centenary commemoration for the end of World War One when a beacon was lit by the side of the Thames.

The 26 'Tommys' were created by Purfleet-on-Thames Community Forum vice-chairman Trevor Batchelor who spoke of his disappointment and shock – but added that the soldiers would be replaced.

"Obviously we don't know if it's locals or people who have been walking by because the riverside has been a lot busier lately. It's not very nice but the immediate message is we will replace them and will make them stronger."

Centre chairman and founder Alan Gosling said he was sickened by the vandalism. "We have been going down to the centre regularly and checking it over and doing the odd little bit of work and it was a real sickener to see this.

"It looks like at first they were using the soldiers as target practice, possibly with an air gun, then they smashed them up. It's difficult to believe why people would do that but it's done now and we will just get on with it. They will be replaced."

Purfleet Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Lisa Wright (who took the pictures of the damage) said: "I felt anger and disappointment and sadness that anyone could do this. The hard work that went into making them was destroyed in a matter of minutes."

It is not the first time a memorial has been desecrated in Purfleet. In March last year thieves stole the metal plaques listing the dead from Purfleet on the town's war memorial in the nearby St Stephen's Church.

The plaques were replaced by Thurrock Council in time for last year's Remembrance events.

That area of Purfleet is a focal point of remembrance. Also last year a Thurrock Council historic green plaque was unveiled to mark the site of guns that shot down a Zeppelin in World War One.

Local feeling was summed up this morning by residents Ash Alam who said: "I can't believe this, it's really sad and upsetting, I invite my friends and family to visit our area from different part of the country but I get ashamed myself they see that history board got smashed, signed is smashed, bins are burned down, play areas items been stolen. It's sad."

A number of people have reported the incident to police, among them West Thurrock ward councilor Qaisar Abbas who said: "This is unbelievably sad. It is difficult to believe some people! I have reported this to the police and I hope anyone who knows anything will come forward."

Fellow ward councillor Victoria Holloway added: "I, like the residents and volunteers in Purfleet, am angry this has happened. I hear time and time again from Thurrock Council that police numbers are on the increase and we're being kept safe. However, this is one of many incidents of vandalism of the community in Purfleet in recent times and it's not acceptable.

"The strong community will fix the damage, but I want to see the police, that Thurrock Council always reference, in Purfleet deterring the criminals doing this in the first place."