Closed petition PE1893: Introduce legislation to protect Scotland's war memorials

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce legislation which recognises desecration or vandalism of war memorials as a specific criminal offence.

Previous action taken

I have met with my MSP, Annie Wells, who suggested that I use the public petitions route. She is fully in favour of our objective and is willing to give any support needed.

I have also written to MSPs and I know there is much cross-party support for such legislation.

I have gauged opinion on social media platforms where there is also great support.

Background information

Our group has identified what we believe to be a gap in the law.

The law treats vandalism/desecration of places of worship, for example, differently when compared to a block of flats but doesn’t treat desecration of a memorial to the fallen differently to that of a telephone box.

A war memorial is sometimes all that grieving families have left of their loved ones. Over the past 5 years there has been a significant increase in attacks on Scotland's war memorials.

These memorials have a special place in society, and we believe that they should be protected as such.

That is why we submit this petition.

  • Created by James Watson on behalf of Friends of Dennistoun War Memorial.
  • Date closed 31 March 2022

This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament

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