Taree RSL Sub-branch president Charles Fisher didn't mince words when describing his anger at the desecration of a statue at the Taree War Memorial.

The statue, depicting a solider, is one of two that sit either side of the memorial clock. To the horror of Sub-branch members, it was found broken on the ground next to its stand on Monday morning (February 3).

It's believed the damage took place overnight.

"They've got no respect for themselves, no respect for the people of Taree and no respect for the people of the Manning who went away and died for their freedom," Mr Fisher said.

"The people of Taree take great pride in the memorial, you see that when hundreds of people turn up on Anzac Day."

It's hoped CCTV footage will provide some answers.

According to federal law, the desecration of a war memorial can carry a prison sentence.

Visibly upset by the incident, Sub-branch secretary Ted Hill hoped justice will soon be served.

"I'm hoping the perpetrator or perpetrators are caught," Mr Hill said.

"It's just senseless and I hope they receive the full force of the law."

It is doubtful the statue will be returned to its former glory. Part of the rifle and the back of the soldier's hat were broken off in the incident.

"A steel pole went up through the statue so that's why the feet are still on the stand," Mr Hill explained.

After visiting the site, Sub-branch member Darcy Elbourne took photos and posted them to the Taree RSL Sub-branch Facebook page.

With the photos, he described the act as "an utterly disgraceful demonstration of contempt and disrespect for our past and current defence members and community."

The Sub-branch hopes insurance will be covered by MidCoast Council, the owners of the war memorial.

Anyone with information relating to the incident can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Taree Police Station on 65520399.

The statues were installed at the memorial in April 2017. It cost $35,600 and was funded through grants and donations.

This wasn't the first time the war memorial was targeted by vandals. Dedications to Korean, Vietnam and Afghanistan soldiers were vandalised in the early 2000s at the start of the Iraq War.