A man has been detained under the Mental Health Act after the grave of murdered Merseyside toddler James Bulger was vandalised at Kirkdale Cemetery in Liverpool. The incident is the second time the memorial has been targeted within six weeks.
In April, two cherub statues next to the two-year-old boy's headstone were damaged. James was taken from his mother in February 1993 at a shopping centre in Bootle by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who tortured and killed him.
Det Insp Jemma Berry said the 78-year-old man from the Lancashire area had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and theft. He remains at a mental health hospital.
During the investigation, detectives established that several graves were targeted within Kirkdale Cemetery, and stolen ornaments from gravestones were recovered and returned to the rightful families.
Det Insp Berry expressed understanding for the concern caused in the local community and encouraged members of the public to speak to the police or contact their local police station with any concerns.