Woman arrested after urinating on war memorial while Brits marked centenary of the Somme
The 42-year-old was held on suspicion of outraging public decency after vile images were seen nationwide
A WOMAN was arrested yesterday after vile images emerged of her seeming to urinate on a war memorial.
The picture was featured in The Sun as the nation marked the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
The 42-year-old was held on suspicion of outraging public decency.
The photo, posted online, showed a woman squatting over railings and poppy wreaths at the memorial in Grays, Essex.
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Royal British Legion branch secretary Sue Merrin said: “I’m shocked. I think it’s awful.”
A resident, who did not want to be named, said: “If it’s who I think it is, it wouldn’t surprise me.
Another resident said: "We have had a couple of regular drunks and over the last week or so we have had ambulances picking them up."
A statement from Essex Police said: "We have been made aware of a photograph of a woman outraging public decency in circulation and are investigating.
"Enquiries are ongoing."
The vile image was in stark contrast to the memorials held at the scene of the bloody World War I conflict in France.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined Prime Minister David Cameron and French president Francois Hollande at the service.
The tragic first day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1 1916 saw 19,240 British soldiers lose their lives.
Many other tributes were made across the UK today including a two-minute silence ending at 7.30am.
The Royal Horse Artillery marked the occasion with a 100 second gun salute to pay tribute to the fallen on all sides.
An Essex Police spokesman today said: "Police were made aware of a photograph circulating on social media on July 1 which showed the offence taking place by the war memorial on Grays High Street.
"A 42-year-old woman from Grays has been arrested this morning on suspicion of outraging public decency and is awaiting questioning in custody."
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