Police have launched a hate crime investigation in Leeds and are searching the River Aire after the blue plaque honouring David Oluwale was stolen hours after its unveiling.
West Yorkshire Police announced in a statement this morning that they were treating the theft as deliberately targeted, calling it 'appalling'. Officers are urging anyone who witnessed anything to get in touch with police.
Police believe the plaque was stolen sometime between 7.30pm and 10pm yesterday, April 25, after the unveiling ceremony that honoured David, who died in 1969 after being racially harassed.
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Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Damien Miller said: “It is truly appallingly that someone would remove the plaque commemorating the life of David Oluwale, and we recognise the significant impact that this act will have had on all those involved in keeping David’s memory alive and on the wider community.
“The timing clearly suggests that this has been a deliberately targeted act and we are classing this as a hate crime. We are treating this incident very seriously and have detectives from Leeds District CID carrying out extensive enquiries to identify who is responsible and to locate and recover the plaque.
“Leeds Bridge is in a busy area in the heart of the city centre and we would urge anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity or who has any information that could assist the investigation to contact us immediately.”
Boats with magnets have been searching the water around the bridge this morning.
The plaque was unveiled yesterday on Leeds Bridge at 5pm by Leeds Civic Trust and the David Oluwale Memorial Association. Both the trust and Remember Oluwale have expressed their upset at the theft.
A bridge in honour of David was recently also completed and is scheduled to open in the summer.
David was last seen being chased by two police officers before he died on April 18, 1969. He had travelled to the UK from Nigeria, where he was targeted because of his race, mental health and homelessness. His death led to the first time the British police were prosecuted for their involvement in the death of a Black person.
Headingley councillors Pryor, Walshaw & Garthwaite said: "Just hours after its unveiling, the blue plaque commemorating David Oluwale was stolen.
"The police are involved and we await a full statement from Leeds Civic Trust, but this likely racist act will not deter us from remembering David’s story and honouring his memory. If it isn’t found we will be happy to fund a replacement and additional work will be done to ensure it cannot be removed again."
Alison Lowe, deputy mayor for policing and crime, tweeted: "I am so desperately sad and disappointed to learn of this #HateCrime after the joy of yesterday's unveiling. @WestYorksPolice are currently investigating this theft and the offender will be caught #RememberOluwale"
Anyone who may have information should contact Leeds District CID on 101 quoting crime reference 13220222118 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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