VANDALS scattered up to 50 poppy wreaths from the Swindon Cenotaph in what police called an act of mindless vandalism.

The offence is believed to have taken place at around 4.40am on Saturday morning. Officers patrolling the town centre found that somebody had taken up to 50 poppy wreaths from the war memorial in Regent Circus and scattered them in an 80 metre radius from the Cenotaph.

In a Facebook Post, Swindon South Police said: “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."

Robert Buckland, South Swindon MP, said of the incident: "A disgraceful act of vandalism that is an insult to the memory of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, an insult to past and present members of our armed forces and an insult to our entire community." 

Witnesses should call 101.