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Thieves target war memorial in Solomons - Breaking News - World - Breaking News

Thieves in the Solomon Islands have sawed a World War II monument from its base intending it sell it for scrap metal, but later dumped it because it was too heavy to carry.

It's part of a worrying trend that has seen locals bring unexploded World War II bombs, ammunition and other relics into population centres to sell as scrap, police in the capital, Honiara, said.

In the latest incident, thieves targeted the brass Japanese war monument at Mount Austin in the city.

The statue, of a man with scales holding a gun, was carried for some distance before being dumped.

Police said the crime showed a great lack of respect.

"World War II monuments are symbols of the gratitude Japan and America has to the Solomon Islands. This act of vandalism is very disrespectful and unacceptable," police spokesman Nathan Ratu said.

Sergeant Trevor Nina, from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, said scrap metal companies had been approached by people trying to sell a range of World War II relics, including unexploded bombs.

"(It) is a very dangerous practice. Only trained bomb disposal officers should transport such hazardous items," he said.

Tourism officials said the attack on the memorial was upsetting, saying thousands of tourists visited the Solomons every year to go on World War II tours.

"From veterans, military historians to plain tourists, these sites are as important to the Solomons as to others," Destination Solomons Travel and Tours managing director Wilson Maelaua said.

"So certainly this (incident) is very sad and disappointing act by our people."