A man has been arrested after dozens of poppy wreaths were thrown from a war memorial in Swindon.

What police have described as a "mindless act of vandalism" is believed to have happened at 4.38am on Saturday, causing a "huge amount of upset" in the local community.

Image: The wreaths were seen by officers on patrol

The wreaths, laid on remembrance Sunday in November, were thrown in an 80-metre radius of the Cenotaph War Memorial in Regent Circus, officers on patrol discovered.

A 54-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken to Swindon Police Station for questioning. He was still in custody on Sunday evening.

"This incident has understandably caused a huge amount of upset to our local community and officers have been working tirelessly to identify the person responsible," said Inspector Rachel Hardy.


"Whilst we have made an arrest, we continue to appeal to anyone who may have information on this incident to call us."

Image: About 50 wreaths were thrown from the memorial

Following the incident, Swindon South Police wrote 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."

Image: Police believe it happened in the early hours of Saturday morning

Chief constable Kier Pritchard said what had happened was a "total disgrace".

He tweeted: "I laid our Wiltshire Police 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."