CCTV images from Lincolnshire Police show two masked people near the Thatcher statue
(Picture: Lincolnshire Police)Police have released CCTV images of two suspects being investigated after paint was thrown over a statue of Margaret Thatcher.
The bronze sculpture of the former prime minister had been erected in St Peters Hill, Grantham last month but has since sparked controversy and attracted vandals.
Lincolnshire Police said that red paint had been thrown over the statue, while a hammer and sickle were painted nearby at 11.10pm on the evening of May 28. The surface of the sculpture was also damaged during the incident.
CCTV footage released by police show two masked people seen near the statue shortly before the incident. They are seen wearing all-black clothing, with one wearing trousers with white stripes.
The other is seen wearing dark shoes with a red Nike tick and white soles.
“We hope that the distinctive clothing, build, and gait of the individuals could help lead to identification,” police said.
Anyone with information is urged to get in touch with Lincolnshire Police, quoting incident 488 on May 28.
Thatcher, who served as prime minister from 1979 to 1990, was born in Grantham and spent her childhood there.
The statue, erected on May 15, was pelted with eggs just hour after it was erected. It has been placed on a 3-metre high plinth to avoid vandals.
Labour councillor Lee Steptoe told the Guardian that the egg-throwing was “inevitable”.
“The statue was always going to be a prime target for petty vandalism and political protest. She was the most divisive prime minister probably in history and certainly in my lifetime,” he said.
