This outrage didn't make national news, yet when St Stephen Lawrence's memorial got vandalized it was all over the front pages.

Police chief slams desecration of memorial to PC Keith Blakelock

The vandalised memorial after it had been partly cleaned

AN "APPALLED" police chief has slammed vandals for hurling white paint over a memorial to Police Constable Keith Blakelock.

Stunned residents and shopkeepers discovered the treasured plaque, which was erected in Muswell Hill Broadway in honour of the beat bobby hacked to death during the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985, plastered with paint on Thursday morning.

Borough commander chief superintendent Dave Grant, who was a former colleague of PC Blakelock, said: "I'm appalled that this has happened and that the memory of an officer that died in the line of duty has been besmirched in such a way."

The defacement comes just days after a 52-year-old and a 46-year-old, both from north London, were arrested on suspicion of killing the married father of three.

Michael Costas, the owner of Broadway Hairdressers a few doors down from the memorial, and chauffeur Danny Ahearn, were both so upset by the mindless act they spent 20 minutes scrubbing the paint off as best they could.

Mr Ahearn, of Elms Avenue, said: "It must have been done the night before because it was all dried up when we saw it about 7.30 in the morning.

"After all that shooting (in Cumbria) you wake up and see this. It's just disgusting. People were walking by and staring so we thought something's got to be done about this."

Mr Costas added: "I've told the council about it and if they don't clean it up I'll bring my pressure washer in and do it myself."

Detectives are investigating the incident after being alerted by a member of the public shortly after 9am on Thursday.

The memorial was erected after PC Blakelock was killed by rioters on the Tottenham estate on October 6, 1985.

He was retreating with an 11-strong team when he tripped and was quickly surrounded by balaclava-clad thugs armed with sticks, knives and machetes.

Speaking of the vandalism Paul Buxton, 41, a passer-by from Muswell Hill, said: "I think it's disgusting. I can't believe somebody would do that. That's just wrong."

Haringey Council said its graffiti team was heading there on Thursday afternoon to clean the memorial.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Haringey CID on 020 8345 0712 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tottenham Journal 3/6/10