Bedduth war memorial believed stolen from town...

[dutchman]

The silhouette was specially-made for the town's Armistice Day celebrations



The chair of a Warwickshire town's Armistice Day parade says he believes a specially-made soldier statue has been stolen.

The 4ft (1.2m) statue, which depicts a Tommy - or soldier - leaning on a rifle, is one of several made for Bedworth's Remembrance Day parade, and was reported missing on Saturday.

Ken Whitehead said police had been informed, and the rest of the silhouettes around the town had been taken down as a precaution.

"It looks like they’ve been stolen, which leaves me flabbergasted because of what they meant to me and what they meant to... a lot of people in Bedworth," he said.

Mr Whitehead said two statues originally disappeared from the market town but one reappeared on Sunday.

The still-missing Tommy was situated on grass near All Saints Church, next to a memorial stone for Frank Parsons, a local Royal Marine commander who was once responsible for Armistice Day memorials in the town.

The town has been marking Armistice Day since 1921.

“We were thinking about leaving them out permanently, because Bedworth is a town that never forgets, and these were magnificent things," he told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire.

"It’s an utter disgrace."

He added that CCTV footage of the church grounds would be checked, and made a plea for the soldier's return.

"Let’s hope it’s kids messing about and they’ve been and chucked them somewhere."

"If you just return them to the Almshouses or the church, we’ll just turn a blind eye to what’s happened," he said.

[dutchman]

Police issue statement after anger over stolen Bedworth Armistice soldier

'Return it' is the message police have issued to whoever has taken a special Bedworth Armistice Day solider statue. This year saw special soldier-shaped silhouettes added to Bedworth Armistice Day Parade and Service.

But thieves are believed to have struck - taking two of them. One of them has been returned but the 'Tommy' silhouette which was placed on the grass near All Saints Church in Bedworth remains missing.

This location was chosen as it is close to where the memorial stands for Frank Parsons, who was the driving force in making Bedworth's proud Armistice Day Parade the huge success it is today. As a result of the thefts, the armistice parade committee have removed the other silhouettes which were on public display.

"We have removed the silhouettes from the peace podium to prevent them being stolen," the committee said. "So sad to have to do it."

Police are investigating the theft and have issued a statement to the community. PC Tom Shorthouse, of Nuneaton SNT, said “We have been made aware of the thefts of two steel models used to commemorate Armistice Day from a church in Bedworth, and we are investigating.

“These items are of real significance to our community, and we would like to see them returned at the earliest available opportunity – anything you can do to help us locate them would be greatly appreciated."

The thefts were reported on November 17 - just days after the town's proud parade and service. Police believe that they were removed between midnight on November 12 and midnight on November 14.

Any witnesses or those who have any information that could help to locate the silhouette, particularly those with any dashcam or CCTV footage, is being urged to contact police. A report can be made via the police website here or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

[rebbonk]

Is nothing sacred?