Police appeal for witnesses after Coventry memorial plaque smashed

West Midlands Police are appealing for witnesses after a memorial plaque for a police officer - shot dead in 1972 - was found smashed.

Officers were called to Far Gosford Street in Coventry on 7 April with enquiries now underway to establish what happened.

On 22 July 1972, PC Guthrie - a 21-year-old newly married policeman - was shot and killed while investigating an intruder alarm at a shop in Coventry.

He was posthumously awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry.

Exactly 50 years after his death, PC Guthrie was honoured with the unveiling of the plaque by the Police Memorial Trust.

Chair of The Police Memorial Trust, Mrs Michael Winner, said: "We can assure the officer's family, friends and colleagues that the memorial will be replaced."

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