WAR memorials in Enfield could be covered with irremovable solution to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen metal.

The In Memoriam 2014 project between the War Memorials Trust and not-for-profit company SmartWater Foundation aims to cover 100,000 monuments in the solution for free in the next three years, which would give each statue a unique forensic signature only visible under UV light.

The idea comes days after the Enfield War Memorial in Chase Green was vandalised and two years after bronze plaques were stolen from the monument in Palmers Green's Broomfield Park.

Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes, who is leading a campaign for tougher sentences for those who desecrate war memorials, has given his backing to the plan.

He said: “The SmartWater campaign is a great idea and I will be speaking to Enfield Council to urge them to take advantage of it.”

The Broomfield War Memorial was stripped of plaques holding the names of the war dead in 2009, slammed by Mr Burrowes as “despicable act of criminality”.

The plaques were restored last year thanks to £90,000 of funding from Enfield Council, and Reverend Peter Jackson, Vicar of Christ Church Southgate, will conduct a service in Broomfield Park to rededicate the memorial tomorrow at 10.30am.

War Memorials Trust’s director, Frances Moreton, said: “We seek to both protect and conserve this unique part of our national heritage and it is delighted to be involved.

“The Trust encourages everyone to take an active interest and ensure the custodians of your local war memorials are taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity to protect war memorials free of charge.”