Driver Flees After Hitting War Memorial in Warwickshire

Warwickshire Police are seeking information regarding a driver who crashed into a Grade II listed cross monument in Lea Marston and drove off with its head on August 21. The 15ft-tall sandstone cross, erected in 1905 to commemorate a visit by Prime Minister William Gladstone, was damaged when the driver collided with it, causing the top to fall into the back of their vehicle. The police have appealed to the public for assistance in locating the crosshead, which may have been abandoned. This incident highlights a growing trend of heritage crimes in the UK, including a reported 9% increase in stone theft from historic sites between 2020 and early 2023. The total estimated value of stolen cultural property in 2021/22 was around £3.2 million, suggesting that these crimes are underreported. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Warwickshire Police, citing incident number 321 of August 21.