A London war memorial has been vandalised in what police described as a "senseless" act.
The memorial, in Hayes, north west London, with found with writing daubed on the plinth.
The war memorial, which includes a statue of Jesus on the cross, commemorates local soldiers who died in the First and Second World Wars, according to the Imperial War Museum, which has a record of war memorials in the UK.
The names of nearly 100 people who lost their lives are inscribed underneath the cross and on the sides.
Officers said in a statement: "Saddened to come into work today to a report that the war memorial on Church Road, Hayes has been graffitied.
"Absolutely senseless and utterly disrespectful."
Police added that they making enquiries about the incident and asked the public to contact them if they have any information.
Hillingdon Council said in a tweet that staff would clean the graffiti off the war memorial. The council has been contacted for further comment.
A representative of St Mary the Virgin Anglican church, which is next to the war memorial, declined to comment.
The news comes a few days before the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which celebrates the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Major celebrations were planned, including street parties across the UK, but most have been cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown.
But Brits are encouraged to celebrate in other ways, including having "home street parties", with bunting that can be downloaded from the BBC's website.
