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Statues and monuments have become the focal point of Black Lives Matter activists who are planning demonstrations across the UK this weekend. And a petition has been launched on Change.org ahead of the marches demanding anyone who desecrates memorials honouring Britain’s war heroes should feel the full force of the law.

We would like to see automatic, full sentencing carried

Len Chappell

More than 113,000 have signed the petition which was initiated by Len Chappell from the Forces Online veterans’ website.

Launching the petition on Change.org, Mr Chappell said: “Following our latest round of open terrorism on the streets of the United Kingdom and the damaging and desecration of our war memorials, we would like to see automatic, full sentencing carried out to people that are filmed, bragging about or inciting others to get involved in the damage in any form.

“In 2019 this was debated now lets see some proper protection put in place for our military heritage, remembering the people that made the ultimate sacrifice to the United Kingdom and to understand that their lives mattered.”

Under sentencing guidelines introduced last October, judges have the power to jail vandals who damage war memorials and graves in England and Wales for up to 10 years.

The new sentencing powers take into account the impact on the community, as well as the financial cost of the crime.

And violent protesters who take to the streets this weekend could be jailed within 24 hours as authorities attempt to deter trouble.

Fast-track court plans will be used as Black Lives Matter protests and counter-demonstrations by far right groups are expected this weekend.

Anybody caught vandalising, causing criminal damage or assaulting police officers could be processed through magistrates’ courts with extended opening hours quickly.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Home Secretary Priti Patel have drawn up the plans based on the response to the 2011 London riots.

Scaffolding and boards have been erected around the Cenotaph and Winston Churchill statue in Westminster after the monuments being vandalised during previous protests.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has pleaded with the public to stay at home amid concerns that further protests in London, particularly by extreme far-right groups which “advocate hatred and division”, could lead to violence and disorder.

After consecutive weekends of BLM demonstrations, far-right group the Democratic Football Lads Alliance has called on members to travel to London to protect monuments.

Far-right figure Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has also expressed his support.

Mr Khan said: “I’m extremely concerned that further protests in central London not only risk spreading COVID-19 but could lead to disorder, vandalism and violence.

“Extreme far-right groups who advocate hatred and division are planning counter-protests, which means that the risk of disorder is high.

“Be in no doubt these counter-protests are there to provoke violence, and their only goal is to distract and hijack this important issue.

“Staying home and ignoring them is the best response this weekend.”

The warning comes as the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement continues to be felt across the country with the removal of a string of monuments and statues after the destruction last weekend of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London announced it will remove two statues of their namesakes from public view due to their links to the slave trade.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has delayed plans to temporarily remove a statue of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell after angry residents vowed to fight to protect it.

The council had originally said it would move the statue from Poole Quay yesterday over concerns it was on a target list compiled by anti-racism activists.

Campaigners have focused in on Lord Baden-Powell due to his associations with the Nazis and the Hitler Youth programme, as well as his actions in the military.

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The statue featured on a “topple the racists” website which lists more than 60 statues and memorials across the UK which they argue should be taken down because they “celebrate slavery and racism”.

Authorities across the country are facing pressure to review contentious monuments following protests over the death of George Floyd and racial injustice.

Mr Floyd died after a white police officer held him down by pressing his knee into his neck for almost nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25.

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