Two teenagers have been charged for writing “Free Palestine” on Rochdale Cenotaph.

On Tuesday, the war memorial in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was spray painted with the slogan in red.

Today, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said two men have been charged with racially aggravated criminal damage, with one also accused of theft, after they were arrested on Tuesday.

The force said neither of the teenagers could be legally identified due to their ages, and added both had been released on bail.

GMP declined to give the ages of the defendants. A court date has yet to be fixed.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Round said: “I hope the swift charges provide some reassurance to the public that our investigation is moving at pace.

“I understand the emotional distress that has been caused in the local community by the damage to the cenotaph and our team of detectives will continue working tirelessly to hold those responsible to account.”

After the incident on Tuesday, GMP officers have been stationed by the memorial, which stands yards away from the police station.

Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the Rochdale memorial, as well as the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The northern cenotaph is one of seven based outside of London, and was unveiled in 1922.

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