Like casualties of the conflict they commemorated is how Hamilton described the smashed crosses of an ANZAC tribute vandalised at a City school overnight.
Sergeant Jonathan Clark of the Hamilton Tactical Unit said the gravity of the attack and its effect on pupils at Berkley Intermediate School who had spent recent weeks studying the significance of ANZAC Day resonated with his staff when they learned of the overnight attack.
"The students had made each of the crosses, learned about the soldiers who were named on them and taken great effort to display them in front of the school according to set criteria.
"Staff at the school told us it was a huge and meaningful learning experience for the students and then at about 3am today, an intoxicated 17-year-old male desecrated the memorial."
As a result of CCTV footage, co-operation from the school and a real sense of drive and urgency by his staff, Mr Clark said the teenage offender was apprehended this morning and will appear in the Hamilton District Court this afternoon.
"While the children will be contemplating a sense of loss from this senseless act they will also be learning and experiencing a real sense of comradeship right now and that people are held account for their actions."
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