David Oluwale Leeds bridge blue plaque ripped down yet again in 'sick' hate crime

A blue plaque honouring David Oluwale has been pulled down again in a "sick" hate crime act.

A Leeds resident reports seeing a man "tear down" the plaque and "throw it" in the River Aire on Thursday afternoon, around 4pm. The plaque was first put in place at 5pm on April 28; Leeds Civic Trust unveiled the honour at Leeds Bridge.

But just a few hours later residents were horrified after finding it had been ripped down. Police dubbed it a hate crime and a temporary replacement was put in place. But on April 27, in another cruel twist, the temporary plaque was pulled down by vandals.

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Leeds Civic Trust told Leeds Live they would "keep replacing the plaque no matter how many times it is pulled down" back in April. Three months later, vandals have ripped down the plaque again.

The plaque honours David Oluwale, who moved to Leeds from Nigeria in 1949 in the hopes of pursuing a better life. But he was sadly hounded to his death near Leeds Bridge by two police officers who targeted him for his race, mental health and homelessness.

One resident reported a man was seen to tear down the plaque on July 7 and threw it into the River Aire (Lucy Marshall)

The pair ultimately become the first British police officers prosecuted for their involvement in the death of a black person. Rather than let his life and legacy be forgotten, the plaque was chosen to honour David.

But callous individuals have continued to rip it down on three separate occasions. On Thursday (July 7), the plaque was seen completely ripped off the wall at Leeds Bridge.

Eyewitness Suzanne Barrow said: "I was on a bus to Morley and I had just seen someone tear off the blue plaque on that guy that drowned in the River Aire, and throw it in the river.

The blue plaque to commemorate David Oluwale after it was unveiled (Mellissa Dzinzi)

"There's some sick people out there."

A 24-year-old resident said: "It is so sad that this keeps on happening. I hope that Leeds Civic Trust keep on putting it back up as promised as David Oluwale should not be forgotten.

"Something needs to be done about this vandalism as it cannot keep on happening."

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