Poppies Burnt by Heartless Vandals on Armistice Day

Poppies Burnt by Heartless Vandals on Armistice Day

As the nation paused to remember the lives lost while fighting for our country and liberty, heartless vandals were setting fire to wreaths at a war memorial.

Just hours after locals in Crediton, Devon, gathered at the annual Remembrance Sunday service, police were called after a member of the public witnessed two youths setting fire to the poppies placed at the memorial.

The two suspects are described as aged around 14-15, one male and one female, both wearing hooded tops and were seen running from scene towards the park behind the memorial.

The Express and Star reports that local officers plus a dog unit conducted a search of the area but the suspects were not located.

Inspector Jane Alford-Mole, said: “This is a deeply upsetting crime which will personally affect many of the residents of Crediton. The wreaths had been placed by a number of individuals and groups who are closely connected to the Act of Remembrance including the Crediton Women’s Institute, Devon and Cornwall Police as well as the family of a Crediton Lance Corporal who died earlier this year whilst serving in Afghanistan.

“The wreaths suffered burn damage and there are a number of scorch marks on the war memorial. This is a sickening act of mindless vandalism and we are desperate to identify those responsible.”

A spokesman from military charity Pilgrim Bandits who work with forces amputees said: “it sums up a sad small part of our nation who wouldn’t be here had it not been for the sacrifices of our forefathers.”

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