Sawbridgeworth Town Council in plea for return of memorial bench stolen from West Road park

A plea has gone out to track down a memorial bench which was stolen from a park in Sawbridgeworth.

The bench, bearing the inscription “Granville Ramage – Sawbridgeworth & District Rotary Club”, was taken from the West Road children’s playground on Saturday or Sunday (July 13-14).

Vandals also set fire to a picnic bench at the park, leaving it with a burn mark in the centre of the table.

Sawbridgeworth town clerk Chris Hunt said he was keen for the bench to be returned as it formed a part of the town’s history.

Mayor Cllr Reece Smith added: “I am deeply saddened and appalled by the recent acts of vandalism and theft where a memorial bench honouring Granville Ramage was stolen and a picnic bench was set on fire.

“We will work closely with the police to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

Cllr Salvatore Pagdades, who is the town council’s lead on policing, said: “I am disheartened by the recent acts of vandalism in our town. [They] are not only senseless crimes but also a direct affront on our community.”