Vandals wreck poppy wreaths and wooden crosses in disgusting attack on gardens of Remembrance

Heartless vandals trashed poppies and wooden crosses in a disgusting attack just days after veterans laid wreaths in a garden of remembrance.

Volunteers from PoppyScotland were shocked to discover that the garden near Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, had been damaged in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Wooden crosses were kicked down, poppy wreaths were stamped on and scattered and memorial plaques were uprooted.

Wooden crosses were kicked down, poppy wreaths were stamped on in the Remembrance Garden near Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

At first it was thought high winds had caused the destruction, however it was soon  found to have been the work of vandals overnight.

Volunteers were ‘upset’ and ‘distressed’ at the state they found the garden and branded the attack as ‘deplorable and disrespectful’.

It comes just a week before the country pays its respects on Remembrance Day to those who fought for Britain.

This year has added significance as it is 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that brought about the end of the First World War. 

Volunteers from PoppyScotland found memorial plaques were uprooted and crosses laid by veterans had been uprooted and knocked over

Volunteers from PoppyScotland found memorial plaques were uprooted and crosses laid by veterans had been uprooted and knocked over

At first it was thought high winds had caused the destruction, however it was soon found to have been the work of vandals overnight

At first it was thought high winds had caused the destruction, however it was soon found to have been the work of vandals overnight

David Findlay, spokesman for Poppyscotland, told Edinburgh Evening News: ‘When our staff and volunteers arrived for duty yesterday morning they were understandably distressed by what they found. 

‘The incident was immediately reported to the police and we then set about restoring the disrupted sections. This was completed by late morning.

‘This is a truly deplorable and disrespectful act of malicious violence which has caused immense upset to countless people.’

Volunteers were 'upset' and 'distressed' at the state they found the garden and branded the attack as 'deplorable and disrespectful'

Volunteers were ‘upset’ and ‘distressed’ at the state they found the garden and branded the attack as ‘deplorable and disrespectful’

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross, who officially opened the garden of remembrance on Monday, said : ‘It is deeply troubling to think this damage could be the result of vandalism.

‘In the lead up to Armistice Day and the centenary of the First World War, the garden of remembrance is Edinburgh’s tribute to the fallen and the idea of it being treated with anything but the utmost respect is devastating. 

PoppyScotland is working with the police to identify the perpetrator.

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