Memorials to two murdered police officers are defaced within hours - as force condemns vandals and launches probe into 'linked' incidents

Memorials to two murdered police officers have been defaced within hours of each other prompting officials to launch a probe into the 'linked' incidents. The following morning, police were made aware of a similar incident involving the memorial to Sgt John Speed, who was shot and killed in Leeds city centre on October 31, 1984. The first report of vandalism was made on Saturday afternoon where a tribute to PC Ian Broadhurst, shot and killed in Leeds on Boxing Day 2003, had been damaged The following morning, police were made aware of a similar incident involving the memorial to Sgt John Speed, who was shot and killed in Leeds city centre on October 31, 1984 The first report of vandalism was made on Saturday afternoon where a tribute to PC Ian Broadhurst, shot and killed in Leeds on Boxing Day 2003, had been damaged A memorial to a murdered police officer in Leeds has been vandalised. @WestYorksPolFed pic.twitter.com/ylOzxJwO4z — Malik Walton January 26, 2025 Police are investigating after the memorials to two murdered Leeds police officers, Sgt John Speed and PC Ian Broadhurst, were damaged at the weekend in what are suspected to be linked incidents.https://t.co/H8PltqJVWR — West Yorkshire Police January 26, 2025 'I know I speak for everyone in West Yorkshire Police and the wider policing family when I say how appalled we are about these incidents. PC Broadhurst and two colleagues - who survived the shooting - had been checking on a suspected stolen car at the time Sgt John Speed was shot after going to the aid of a colleague who was attacked during what was a routine check on two men acting suspiciously near Leeds Parish Church PC Broadhurst was shot at point blank range in Dib Lane by former US Marine David Bieber Sgt John Speed was shot after going to the aid of a colleague who was attacked during what was a routine check on two men acting suspiciously near Leeds Parish Church.