Vandals trash war memorial leaving 50 poppy wreaths scattered all over the road

Officers on patrol in Swindon discovered the poppy wreaths had been thrown on the street in an 80-metre radius of the town’s war memorial.

The vandalism is believed to have happened at 4.38am on Saturday, say police.

Swindon South Police posted on Facebook: "This was a mindless act of vandalism and shows complete disregard for those service men and women that have given the ultimate sacrifice in service of this country.

"Enquiries are ongoing and we urge that anyone who was in the area at the time that has any information that could assist the police to contact 101 and ask to speak to SPC 4448 Scott-Barrett regarding CRN 54190003682."

Within four hours, the post had been shared more than 1,000 times and received more than 300 comments.

Chief constable Kier Pritchard urged people to identify those responsible.

He tweeted: "This is a total disgrace.

"I laid our @wiltshirepolice wreath at this Cenotaph on Sun 11th Nov 2018 alongside many war veterans to show respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to provide the freedoms we enjoy today.

"Name those involved and help us identify them."

At the end of last year a dad handed in his own son to the police for damaging a ‘Silent Soldier’ memorial erected for Remembrance Day commemorations.

The father gave his 15-year-old son's name to the authorities after finding out he was involved in a vandal attack on one of five metal silhouettes marking 100 years since the end of WW1.

And he offered to pay for the Silent Soldier to be repaired in time for an event on Sunday which will see dignitaries in Lydney, Glos, light a beacon in honour of those who lost their lives in the Great War.

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