Cathedral statue damaged in vandalism attack

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to



One of Coventry Cathedral's iconic statues has been vandalised. Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after it was noticed that the statue had been damaged.

It's believed that the statue, St Michael's Victory over the Devil, was stained deliberately. Coventry Police said they believe the man pictured was involved in the damage. Anyone with information is urged to get in touch.

The 1958 bronze sculpture symbolises the triumph of good over evil. It is one of the last created by sculptor Jacob Epstein before his death in 1959.

A spokesman for Coventry Police said: "We want to speak to this man after the statue outside Coventry Cathedral has been damaged. We were yesterday alerted to the St Michael's Victory over the Devil having been stained deliberately. We're releasing this image of a man we suspect of being involved.

"Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or call 101, and quote 20/341910/23."

Group sought over Coventry Cathedral statue vandalism



CCTV images have been released of a group police would like to speak to in connection with the vandalism of a statue outside a cathedral.

St Michael's Victory Over the Devil, displayed outside Coventry Cathedral, was deliberately stained last week, police said.

West Midlands Police is appealing to the public in the hope of identifying the six men.

The bronze statue symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

"New footage has been obtained of men we think might have information which could help our investigation," said the force.

The bronze by Sir Jacob Epstein was mounted on the side of the rebuilt cathedral in 1958.

Vandal apologises over Coventry Cathedral statue vandalism



A man who damaged a statue outside a cathedral has met with staff at the site to apologise to them, police said.

St Michael's Victory Over the Devil, displayed outside Coventry Cathedral, was stained in April.

Staff decided not to press charges, but wanted to speak to the 20-year-old as part of a restorative justice process, West Midlands Police said.

He came with friends who were there at the time, apologised and offered compensation.

The damage came at the end of a night out, the force said.

Canon Rev Mary Gregory said it was "not easy" for him and his friends to come, apologise and offer to contribute towards repairs.

"We hope that the conversation we have had will stay with this group of friends and that it will shape their future actions," she added.

The bronze statue, By Sir Jacob Epstein, was mounted on the side of the rebuilt cathedral in 1958.