Giant poppies removed after 'mindless' vandalism

A council is appealing for witnesses after the "mindless and disrespectful" vandalism of a large poppy.

It had been erected with several others on Eastleigh bandstand in Leigh Road to commemorate Remembrance Day 2024.

Eastleigh Borough Council believes it was damaged on Saturday or Sunday.

A council spokesperson said the incident was a "great shame" for the community and confirmed all of the giant poppies had since been removed.

The council first started installing giant poppies from the Royal British Legion in 2020 as a way to show its support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The spokesperson said: "This is a mindless and hugely disrespectful act of vandalism and a great shame for the local community, the Royal British Legion and everyone involved in Remembrance and Armistice 2024."

They urged anyone with information about the damage to come forward.

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