Vandals behead and cover historic monument in red paint on King’s Birthday
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In a brazen act that has left many reeling, a historic statue of King George in the city's Kings Domain was decapitated and defaced with red paint in a vandalism attack that took place under the cover of darkness.
The incident, which occurred on the eve of Victoria's King's Birthday public holiday, has sparked a flurry of debate among locals and historians alike.
Victoria Police is investigating the incident after the headless statue was discovered early on Monday morning, 10 June.
The vandals, whose identities remain unknown, were bold enough to record their actions, with a video surfacing online showing an individual in a high-vis jacket and head torch methodically sawing off the statue's head.
Another figure, clad in a dark hoodie, was captured spray-painting the statue, leaving behind a stark message in red.
The police arrived around 9 AM on Monday, and an investigation is underway.
‘It appears the head of the statue has been removed and red paint thrown at the monument,’ a police spokesperson said.
‘Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.’
This is not the first time Melbourne has witnessed the defacement of its colonial-era monuments.
Earlier this year, on Australia Day, statues of Captain James Cook in St Kilda and Queen Victoria near the CBD were also targeted, reigniting the conversation around Australia's colonial past and its representation in public spaces.
The Captain Cook sculpture was cut at the ankles and left lying on the ground with a rope around its neck. Meanwhile, the Queen Victoria monument was covered in red paint.
The City of Melbourne has acknowledged the incident and is currently deliberating on the next course of action.
This story comes after when three Irish men were arrested over 60 alleged sophisticated home burglaries in Melbourne’s east.
The men allegedly stole over $1 million worth of property, including cash, jewellery, and designer handbags while the occupants were away.
They were then charged with several counts related to burglaries and theft, and an investigation ensued whether this group was linked to other unsolved burglaries.
You can watch 9 News Australia’s coverage of the beheaded King George monument below:
Credit: 9 News Australia / Youtube
Have you encountered similar acts of vandalism in your local area? How do you feel about the preservation of historical statues and monuments? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
The incident, which occurred on the eve of Victoria's King's Birthday public holiday, has sparked a flurry of debate among locals and historians alike.
Victoria Police is investigating the incident after the headless statue was discovered early on Monday morning, 10 June.
The vandals, whose identities remain unknown, were bold enough to record their actions, with a video surfacing online showing an individual in a high-vis jacket and head torch methodically sawing off the statue's head.
The King George V monument in Melbourne was beheaded and covered in red paint on King’s Birthday. Credit: 9News Australia / Youtube
Another figure, clad in a dark hoodie, was captured spray-painting the statue, leaving behind a stark message in red.
The police arrived around 9 AM on Monday, and an investigation is underway.
‘It appears the head of the statue has been removed and red paint thrown at the monument,’ a police spokesperson said.
‘Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.’
This is not the first time Melbourne has witnessed the defacement of its colonial-era monuments.
Earlier this year, on Australia Day, statues of Captain James Cook in St Kilda and Queen Victoria near the CBD were also targeted, reigniting the conversation around Australia's colonial past and its representation in public spaces.
The Captain Cook sculpture was cut at the ankles and left lying on the ground with a rope around its neck. Meanwhile, the Queen Victoria monument was covered in red paint.
The City of Melbourne has acknowledged the incident and is currently deliberating on the next course of action.
This story comes after when three Irish men were arrested over 60 alleged sophisticated home burglaries in Melbourne’s east.
The men allegedly stole over $1 million worth of property, including cash, jewellery, and designer handbags while the occupants were away.
They were then charged with several counts related to burglaries and theft, and an investigation ensued whether this group was linked to other unsolved burglaries.
You can watch 9 News Australia’s coverage of the beheaded King George monument below:
Credit: 9 News Australia / Youtube
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