The plinth supporting the statue of Blues legend Kevin Beattie has been damaged, apparently by skateboarders.

The statue, which stands on Portman Road diagonally opposite Planet Blue, was unveiled in December last year.

Photos have been posted on social media of damage to the plinth with its use by skateboarders apparently the cause.

The engraved outer stone shell was donated by the East of England Co-op and crafted from port stone by H L Perfitts, a Co-op company.

Brad Jones, EADT editor, who chaired the statue appeal committee, told his newspaper: “Everybody in the community who contributed and played a part in making this happen will feel really upset and angry about this. I certainly do.

“It shows a complete lack of respect, and is so frustrating after all the hard work that went into the project.”

BBC Radio Suffolk's Mark Murphy, who presented Life's a Pitch with Beattie and TWTD's Phil Ham, said he was “so bloody angry”.

Ipswich Borough Council is now the owner of the statue and leader David Ellesmere says work to repair the damage will start soon with preventative measures also put in place.

“It has only just happened, but we need to look at something like a low-level barrier to prevent this kind of thing ever happening again,” he said.

“That statue means so much to so many people, we have to make sure it is kept safe.”

Photo: Matchday Images

bluemack added 15:49 - Apr 17 Terrible, nothing is safe these days no respect.
2

Elizabeth added 16:18 - Apr 17 Absolutely disgusting moronic behaviour.. pity they haven't got something better to do with their time ..
3

SickParrot added 16:29 - Apr 17 What a shame. This lack of respect is sadly so common now. Those responsible have no excuse, there is a skate park within half a mile!
4

Linkboy13 added 16:48 - Apr 17 If they catch them they don't get punished just a telling off Morons.
3

Stu_boy added 16:51 - Apr 17 Disgraceful, some people have no respect. If they get caught they should be forced to pay for the repairs
5

trncbluearmy added 17:01 - Apr 17 T9ssers
1

multiplescoregasms added 17:06 - Apr 17 Come down to PR on Tuesday at about 7pm and try doing it then. P Ricks.
4

Harlestonblue added 17:31 - Apr 17 I hope Paula Thatcher shows the filmed evidence to the police so they catch the disrespectful scumbags who did this
1

Gipeswic added 17:46 - Apr 17 Saddened and disgusted. Replace the smooth paving with cobblestones to prevent future damage?
6

Blocker123 added 18:10 - Apr 17 Welll I hope this person also filmed the ****s doing this as well!!! And handed it in to the police!!!
2

DeliasMashedPotato added 19:26 - Apr 17 as a skateboarder in my yoof we would always steer clear of memorials/plaques no matter how good they were to skate. very disrespectful
8

ArnieM added 20:02 - Apr 17 String em up by their scrawny balls…
0

JewellintheTown added 21:04 - Apr 17 Hopefully they're stupid enough to post their clips online so they can be tracked down and be served justice in the court of popular opinion. Makes me so angry.
0

WonTheCupin78 added 21:58 - Apr 17 Nothing surprises me anymore. Can you imagine what the world will be like in 50 years time?
1

Taricco_Fan added 23:59 - Apr 17 Saddening but completely unsurprising given the state of the town.
0

runningout added 12:42 - Apr 18 a bit concerned the youth have little guidance. I may sound like a dinosaur but National service maybe a necessity to bring back this countries real morales
1

Edmundo added 14:59 - Apr 18 Little excuse for this, given the nearby facilities.
0

mo_itfc added 17:19 - Apr 18 This is a huge over-reaction. Barely any damage, no actual disrespect, just some skaters skating, not hurting anyone.
-9

itfchorry added 20:55 - Apr 18 Truly idiotic comment Mo -
4

superblues9 added 15:10 - Apr 19 What a moron mo maybe that's what mo stands for ! Find them and make them pay for the damage
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls