Callous vandal destroys hundreds of handmade poppies

Police were called after an elderly gentleman was spotted targeting the Folkestone Poppy Project in Kent.

This sees thousands of knitted and crocheted poppies put up on railings every year.

Officers reviewed CCTV which they say led to the "identification of a man believed to have been involved".

He has since been spoken to by the area's beat officer.

However, organisers say they have been left "devastated" by the vandalism of the tributes - as all volunteers put "so much hard work into [the project]."

Project leader Jan McNeill said: "Every poppy is crocheted and knitted - we all put so much hard work into it.

"Over a period of time the man emptied nine sections of poppies on The Leas and threw them into bins.

"Many local people get involved and we even get them sent to us from Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

"We work really hard to put this together every year so it was so devastating to see."

Mrs McNeill said the vandalism happened "very early in the morning" and continued for a number of months.

Fortunately though, no more poppies have been removed from the site in recent weeks - and volunteers are now amping up efforts to prepare for Remembrance Sunday.

She said: "We have started putting refurbished poppies up instead of brand new ones as it takes less time.

"We are very hopeful that we can get new poppies on without them being removed.

"A massive thank you to all the poppy makers and helpers - and [to the public] for the support we've had."

When the poppies were first removed, a notice was placed on the railings alerting others to the incident.

It reads: "We are proud to place poppies along the way that many brave souls marched en route to France during 1914/1918.

"Many never to return.

"So it is heartbreaking that a local elderly 'gentleman' who doesn't like them is regularly cutting off and throwing away hundreds of what he calls red weeds."

The note encourages residents to call the police if they see the man - noting that it is an "offence" to cut off poppies.

Folkestone resident Stephen West, who regularly walks his dog along the route, said he is "disgusted" by the man's actions.

He said: "Your heart goes out to these people - they worked so hard making these and fitting them all.

"People witnessed a man cutting them down and I just can't believe someone would do that.

"My grandfather was in the First and Second World Wars. He may well have stepped off from Folkestone or at least arrived at Folkestone by train.

"It's a wicked thing to do and I think it's so disrespectful."

The Folkestone Poppy Project has been running for 11 years.