Police have released surveillance footage of two persons wanted in connection with the latest destruction of the Margaret Thatcher statue.
After being constructed a fortnight ago in Grantham, Lincolnshire, the £300,000 tribute to the former Prime Minister was targeted for the second time in two weeks last weekend.
On Saturday, red paint was flung at the 10-foot-tall granite sculpture, and a red hammer and sickle communist insignia was painted onto the fence surrounding it.
Lincolnshire Police issued a CCTV appeal today in an attempt to locate two hooded individuals seen on camera in the vicinity at the time.
The 12-second video shows the pair dressed in black and wearing face masks, with one carrying something in a white carrier bag.
A force spokesperson said: ‘We would like to speak to the individuals in this footage who may be able to help us with our enquiries into an incident of criminal damage of the newly-erected statue of former Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher.
‘The incident happened where the statue is located in St Peters Hill, Grantham, at about 11.10pm 28 May.
‘What is believed to be a tin of red paint was thrown on to the statue, damaging the surface.
‘A can of spray paint has then been used on the surrounding fencing to display a Hammer and Sickle.
‘The CCTV footage is not clear enough to show facial features, but we hope that the distinctive clothing, build, and gait of the individuals could help lead to identification.
‘If you can help, please call 101 quoting incident number 488 of 28 May.’
Jeremy Webster, 59, a university worker, flung eggs at the contentious statue on the day it was installed and was later fined £90 under Section 5 of the Public Order Act.
South Kesteven District Council unveiled the statue in the Iron Lady’s hometown at a £100,000 event.
Council leader Kelham Cooke, said: ‘The memorial was paid for by public donations to the Public Memorials Appeal (PMA) and it is only right that they should have held a ceremony marking the completion of the project.