A MONUMENT of peace between faiths and cultures in Stourbridge’s Mary Stevens Park has been left irreparable less than two months after being installed.

Stourbridge Quakers donated a peace pole, carrying messages in English, French, Hindi and Arabic, to the town’s popular park during a ceremony in May.

But on Friday (July 1), the sign of harmony was found severely damaged, in an attack local Quakers have called a “sad reflection of current society”.

Tricia Bradbury, Stourbridge Quakers member, said: “It is so sad. The aim of the pole was always to show how multicultural Stourbridge is, with a very diverse population.

“I don’t know what would lead somebody to damage something like this and destroy the message of peace and harmony the pole was installed for.

“I do hope the police find the person who did it just so we can know what their motives were. I don’t know if the motivation to destroy the pole was rage, or whether it was part of a hate crime.

“We all feel devastated that something so uplifting has been crushed in this way. Targeting a faith group is really a serious thing.

“One would worry that with the rise of hate crimes and stories which have been reported across the country since the referendum, that this could be linked.

“This is a sad reflection of the current society, and a sign of peace – which this pole represented – is now needed as much as ever.”

The peace pole cost £200 and was part of a joint venture between the Quakers and Churches Together in Stourbridge who will now have to decide whether or not to replace the sign.

Mrs Bradbury added: “A lot of people came together to get this pole installed. It was very costly to have it produced as well as getting it placed in the park.

“A big decision will need to be made as to what action is taken to replace it, because all we have been left with is a crumpled piece of metal.”