Police are investigating after a fire was started in a bin near a war memorial days ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
Greater Manchester Police said wooden pallets were set alight close to the Cenotaph in Marple, Stockport, on Wednesday evening, leaving ground nearby damaged.
Officers were called to the scene alongside fire crews at around 9.50pm.
The force said it has stepped up high-visibility patrols in the area leading up to Remembrance Sunday.
The fire damaged left the ground near to the war memorial damaged
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GREATER MANCHESTER POLICEPolice Sergeant Rachel Walton, of our Stockport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.
“Police units arrived on scene within minutes and the fire was quickly extinguished by colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
“We are working closely with partners at Stockport Council and the fire service to ensure the area is cleaned and restored.
“We want to identify the individuals responsible, and we will have extra, high-visibility patrols in the park each evening leading up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday, November 9.”
“The Cenotaph means a lot to the community and incidents like this are deeply upsetting, particularly at a time when we should be honouring the memory of our war veterans.”
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