Vandals have attacked two war memorials in central London.

Both the RAF Bomber Command War Memorial and the Animals in War Memorial less than a mile down the road were discovered to be daubed with graffiti early this morning.

The words written on the two memorials have now been covered up, but the BBC has published a picture which shows "Islam" written on the Animals in War Memorial, which honours animals that have served and died for the British military forces.

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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "At 5am this morning police discovered graffiti on both the RAF Bomber Command War Memorial in Green Park and the Animals in War Memorial on Park Lane.

"Royal Parks' officers and Westminster police are investigating.

"There have been no arrests at present."

The incidents are being treated as criminal damage, police said.