Warrington Children's Memorial Plaque Stolen

18 May 2012, 11:44 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A memorial plaque for two children killed by an IRA bomb has been stolen by suspected metal thieves in Warrington.

A plaque that formed part of the River of Life, a memorial for victims of the 1993 bombing, was taken from a wall in Bridge Street in Cheshire.

Three year old Johnathan Ball and 12 year old Tim Parry were both killed by two small bombs placed in litter bins on the street and 54 others were injured.

The memorial was unveiled by the Duchess of Kent when she opened it as a symbol of continuing life. It was stolen some time between April 20 and May 5.

Pc Graham Davies, of Cheshire Police, said: "We do not know exactly when the plaque was taken but would appeal to anyone who has any information in relation to the theft to come forward".

"This plaque forms part of a memorial and is of great significance to the town. It is upsetting for people to see that the plaque has been taken".

Colin Parry, the father of Tim, told the Daily Mail he believed metal thieves were to blame.

He said:  "It makes me feel utter disgust and it is reprehensible that someone should disfigure what is a memorial to two young boys and see it as something they can make money from without any consideration for the families who lost loved ones".

His son was killed when two bombs exploded within a minute of each other on March 20 1993, one outside a Boots and another outside a McDonalds in an area crowded with shoppers.

Johnathan died at the scene, while Tim was gravely wounded. He died on March 25 1993 when doctors switched off his life support machine.