Driver Arrested On Suspicion of Drug Driving After Collision with War Memorial

Published on: 6 Jan, 2022
Updated on: 10 Jan, 2022

The aftermath of the collision on December 31. Photo Rob Lowe

By Martin Giles

A teenager believed to have been driving a car on New Year’s Eve that collided with, and destroyed, a village war memorial, has been released under investigation.

A Surrey police spokesperson, responding to a Guildford Dragon enquiry, said today (January 6): “We were called to reports of a car colliding with a war memorial in Shalford Memorial Park at around 5.30pm on December 31.

“Officers attended the scene and located the man who they believed had driven the car. Following a roadside drug test, an 18-year-old man from Cranleigh was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a weapon in a public place and possession of a bladed article. He has been released under investigation.”

Detective Inspector Alick James, borough commander for Guildford, added: “This was a senseless act which has rightly upset local residents and we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

“Our investigation into this incident remains ongoing, and if anyone has any information or CCTV footage of the area at the time, please get in contact with us.”