Vandalism to Watson Watt statue could prove costly to repair

Professional advice sought on statue’s restoration

Vandalism to the Watson Watt statue in Brechin has been condemned by the group whose dedication delivered the town’s first public art statue.

The St Ninian’s Square sculpture commemorating Sir Robert Watson Watt was targeted in a paint-spraying spree earlier this week, prompting police to release the description of a youth they want to trace.

Houses and businesses were also hit, but there was been widespread anger over the defacing of the statue to the pioneer of radar.

The logo BYT – believed to stand for Brechin Young Team – was sprayed in gold on the stone plinth of the statue on Tuesday.

That damage has been cleaned off by a public-spirited local, but a delicate and potentially costly operation will have to be carried out to remove paint the vandal also sprayed on the face of Watson Watt and a radar mast sculpted in his hand.

Watson Watt Society secretary Steve Dempsey said the group “deeply regretted” the damage to the statue and plinth.

“We very much appreciate the support from a member of the local community who has removed the paint from the plinth. STEVE DEMPSEY WATSON WATT SOCIETY

“We very much appreciate the support from a member of the local community who has removed the paint from the plinth,” he said.

“However, the society is seeking professional advice on how best to remove the spray paint from the bronze statue. The bronze will also have to be repainted to protect the surface.

“We will wait until estimates have been received before carrying out any further repairs,” added Mr Dempsey.

Costs of the repair may fall to Angus Council, who agreed in 2015 to take responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the statue.

Mr Dempsey: “A significant amount of the funds raised to erect the statute came from members of the local community.

“It is a fitting tribute to Brechin’s famous son and we hope it can soon be fully restored.”

Police said they wanted to trace a 14 to 16-year-old, wearing a red jacket with dark sleeves and carrying a rucksack, in connection with the incident.

The boy was with a group of other youths around a similar age and a witness reported him spraying paint on to a building in Brechin before the gang made off towards the town’s High Street.

Last week, Brechin High School sent a letter home to parents after community police sergeant Clark Renilson highlighted recent issues of anti-social behaviour involving groups of youngsters up to 40-strong.

gbrown@thecourier.co.uk

The vandal also spray-painted the face of the statue and the radar mast.