Girl arrested over graffiti on Wolverhampton Cenotaph

War veterans at the Cenotaph (Pic courtesy of Express and Star)

A 15-year-old girl has been arrested after offensive graffiti was daubed on the Cenotaph in Wolverhampton.

The girl has been released on bail as inquiries continue, West Midlands Police said.

The city council's Steve Wright said: "We are investigating the best way to remove this offensive graffiti, which we think will cost at least £600."

Police patrols have been stepped up after the graffiti was discovered on Wednesday.

Mr Wright, the council's head of parks and gardens, said he hoped the graffiti would be gone by the time of November's Remembrance services.

"The war memorial is a listed monument and so great care needs to be taken when cleaning it so that no damage is done to the soft sandstone surface," he said.

In a separate case, a 17-year-old youth was filmed putting graffiti on the Cenotaph ahead of the Victory in Japan Day commemorations in 2008.

He was ordered to do 40 hours' community service after admitting the offence.