Vandal attack on memorial to Lee Rigby

VANDALS have attacked a memorial to Fusilier Lee Rigby days before the fourth anniversary of his murder.

A photo of the murdered soldier and a teddy bear left by his son Jack were thrown away in the incident some time on Wednesday night.

The keepsakes in Woolwich, South East London, were attached to railings near where the 25-year-old was mown down by a car and hacked to death by two extremists on May 22, 2013. All that was left yesterday was a flag of St George and a few flowers.

Police held ‘reassurance patrols’ in the area and forensics officers sealed off the wall of a block of flats.

Family friend Lorna Taylor, 49, has campaigned for a permanent memorial to the serviceman (pictured) and organised events to mark the anniversary of his death.

She said last night: ‘I am disgusted. I can’t believe anyone would want to do this. It’s heartbreaking.

‘They have slashed everything down with a knife, even a memorial banner to Lee we had specially made.

‘The police asked me if I thought it could be racist. It could be anyone. It is totally disrespectful. We have lots of people coming to pay their respects this weekend.

‘It’s clearly been done with the fourth anniversary in mind.’ Michael Adebowale, 25, was jailed for 45 years and Michael Adebolajo, 32, for life for the murder.