POLICE have issued a fresh plea for help in their hunt for vandals who desecrated Hawick’s 1514 Memorial, writes Bob Burgess.
The cherished town-centre Horse monument was erected in memory of Hawick’s son who took part the rout of English raiders at nearby Hornshole the year after the Battle of Flodden.
The monument and what it stands for plays a significant role at the common riding each June.
But between 2am and 3am on Saturday, November 19 vandals snapped off a three-foot length of the bronze flag pole.
The attack infuriated the town but attempts to track those responsible by CCTV cameras failed because two were not working and the quality of footage from a third was too poor to be of use.
And despite an intensive police probe the culprits have still not been traced. And in a fresh New Year appeal police have promised anonymity to anyone who comes forward with information.
Inspector Paula Clark told us : “We would particularly like to to speak to a group of four males and a female who were seen in suspicious circumstances in the vicinity of the monument. We urge them to come forward and assist us with our enquiries.
“We would also like to speak to anyone who was in the area around the time of the vandalism. And I would stress that should people wish to remain anonymous they can pass information regarding this crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A review of surveillance in the area is under way.