Police and former servicemen have condemned "despicable" thieves who stole tributes to the dead from a war memorial.

They forced four bronze plaques, bearing names of men killed in the First World War, from the memorial at Eccleshill, Bradford.

They also damaged two other commemorative plaques for men who died in the Second World War as they tried to remove them from the memorial at Eccleshill recreation ground in Stonehall Road.

The thieves are thought to have scaled a five-foot metal security fence surrounding the memorial, which is also protected by a padlocked gate and is checked daily by park rangers. Detectives are urging scrap metal dealers to be on the alert and contact them if anyone tries to sell the plaques.

Detective Inspector Noel Devine, of Bradford North CID, said: "This is a heartless and disgusting theft.

"Such tributes should be sacrosanct. Each plaque bears the name of a serviceman who died in the war. They are worth £500 each but the value to the community is priceless."

The raiders struck some time over the weekend, probably at night, and it is thought they must have made some noise while removing the plaques which were 3ft by 1ft and bolted to the stone memorial.

Barrie Tinker, Bradford Council's principal parks manager and war memorial officer, said the theft and damage had been reported by a resident.

He said that if the stolen plaques are not recovered it was hoped to replace them in time for the Remembrance Day procession.

He described the theft and damage as "thoughtless and despicable".

He said: "These plaques were a tribute to people who gave their lives many years ago and are an important part of the city's history.

"It will be very upsetting for any relatives of the servicemen who died still living in the area but we can assure them we will be replacing the plaques and the memorial will look the same.

"The plaques were securely bolted to the stone so the thieves have been very determined to remove them.

"They must have made some noise in doing so and we want anyone who heard anything or has any information to contact us or the police."

He urged anyone with information to contact him in confidence on (01274) 432648.

Jim Hargreaves, treasurer of the Bradford Central branch of the Royal British Legion, said what had happened was "disgusting".

"It is an insult to the people who died for their country and gave us our freedom and the ex-servicemen of today," said Mr Hargreaves.

"It is not the first time it has happened. Down the years people have vandalised memorials and it hurts."

Bill Lee, Bradford branch secretary of the Royal Naval Association, who compiles the Ex-Service Notes column in the Telegraph & Argus, said the theft was "an abomination".

Mr Lee said: "No-one any longer has any sense of respect or value. Thieving from a memorial is diabolical. It is as low as you can stoop.

"It will be very upsetting for local people or any relatives that remain."

Tony Ackroyd, a Bradford volunteer with the Soldiers Sailors Airmen Families Help charity, said: "It is just vandalism at its worst. If it hadn't been for the blokes on the plaque these thieves might have been speaking German.

"It is just gross bad behaviour and anyone with information about it should come forward."

Anyone who witnessed the theft or has any information should contact Bradford North CID on (01274) 376259, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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