Hitchin community comes together following suspected arson on Pride bench
The rainbow painted bench was found burnt earlier this week, prompting a fundraiser to replace it
A rainbow-painted bench in Hitchin, installed to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, and damaged earlier this week in what is believed to be an arson attack, will now be replaced.
The bench, which was funded by North Herts Pride through a grant from the late Councillor Judi Billing, had been in place for around two years and was refurbished last year.
It was found damaged earlier this week, prompting a police investigation.
"We received a message on Tuesday from our town manager and team, the BID team, saying that it’s been... a victim of kind of an arson attack and it needs a full repair," said Niamh Skinner, Director of North Herts Pride. "It’s not a quick fix job."
Although there is no confirmed motive, the bench is the only one in the area painted in rainbow colours, prompting concerns over a possible criminal damage motive.
"There’s a lot of benches on that hill and this is the only one that is kind of supporting the LGBTQ plus community and it is very visible," said Ms Skinner. "Your brain just takes you there immediately that it's been done on purpose for that reason."
In response to the incident, local residents quickly raised funds to replace the bench.
Ms Skinner said: "We set up a JustGiving because a few people were saying they’d like to contribute to funding the replacement, and we hit our target in 40 minutes of £650.
"We’ve over doubled that and we’re now one and a half thousand."
Police have confirmed an investigation is underway, including a review of CCTV footage.
North Herts Pride has stated it will continue to work closely with local authorities and hopes for a constructive outcome.
Ms Skinner added: "If they do find who’s done it, I just hope that we can educate them.
"The queer community isn’t something to be attacked or be afraid of. We’re just people that are slightly different."