HE people of Crediton were shocked this week following what police described as "a sickening act of vandalism" at the town and Hamlet's war memorial.
On Sunday, November 9, during the annual Act of Remembrance following the service at Crediton Parish Church, about 24 wreaths and tributes were laid at the memorial in Union Road.
It was at about 1.15am the following morning that police were called after a local man saw two youths setting fire to wreaths placed at the memorial.
They ran from the scene through Newcombes Meadow.
Local officers plus a dog unit conducted a search of the area but the two suspects could not be found.
They are described as aged around 14 or 15, one male and one female, both wearing hooded tops.
Mid Devon Police Inspector Jane Alford-Mole, said: "This is a deeply upsetting crime which will personally affect many of the residents of Crediton.
"The wreaths had been placed by a number of individuals and groups who are closely connected to the Act of Remembrance including the Crediton Women's Institute, Devon and Cornwall Police as well as the family of a Crediton Lance Corporal, who died earlier this year after serving in Afghanistan.
"The wreaths suffered burn damage and there are a number of scorch marks on the war memorial.
"This is a sickening act of mindless vandalism and we are desperate to identify those responsible."
Police issued an appeal for any witnesses to call 101, quoting crime reference CR/1211225/14, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
NEW TRIBUTES
At the Armistice Day ceremony on Tuesday, new tributes were laid to replace those destroyed or taken.
Among the wreaths replaced was a family tribute to Lance Corporal Jamie Fleming, from Spinning Path Gardens, Crediton, who spent four-and-a-half years in the army, in the Royal Signals based in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.
He died, aged 21 years, at the scene of an accident involving his motorcycle and a lorry on Good Friday on the A487 Felindre Farchog to Cardigan Road.
A new wreath to remember Jamie was laid on Wednesday by colleagues from his regiment, 14 Signals EW, based in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.
Lance Corporal Elliot Thornton, who was a close friend of Jamie, and Lt Chris Collier travelled from Wales to Crediton to lay a wreath from the regiment after hearing that the laid wreath had been destroyed.
They were accompanied at the short ceremony by Jamie's parents, Stewart and Alison Fleming, members of the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion and five-times former mayor of Crediton, Mrs Gillian Ponsford.
Mr Fleming said after the damage was caused to the wreath in memory of his son: "As a family we were very angry at the wanton vandalism.
'LOST FOR WORDS'
"We are still raw over Jamie's death.
"I am lost for words."
Mrs Ponsford's grandchildren's tribute was among those damaged and which she replaced on Armistice Day.
She was a friend of Jamie and knew him from an early age through her voluntary work at Hayward's School.
She has launched an annual award, to be presented to an admirable young person in the town, which will be presented at the Town Council's End of Term reception, in memory of Jamie.
She said: "Mere words cannot convey my feelings when I saw the blackened spot where my grandsons and others had laid their wreaths. I hope the cowards who perpetrated this dreadful act will be caught."
Mrs Ponsford's great uncles are named on the memorial and she said when she heard of the vandalism she was "horrified".
Cllr Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton, said: "I am sickened and appalled at this mindless act of vandalism.
"I sincerely hope the perpetrators are caught and they and their parents are forced to face the enormity of this crime!"
'DISAPPOINTED'
Nigel Cooper, Commander of the Army Cadet Unit in Crediton, said he was sorry and "disappointed" that a couple of youngsters had damaged the wreaths, but paid tribute to all the young people who took part in the Remembrance ceremonies, including the cadets who took part in the parade.
Scout Commissioner George Davey, said it was "disgraceful behaviour" by the two young people and said that, quite possibly, their grandfather or uncle or someone in their family could have served in the services in a role and be remembered on the memorial.
Many people have expressed their shock, sadness and disgust at the damage caused through social media sites.
Comments included: "No respect", "Disgusting behaviour", "Shameful", "Silly children, who obviously have no respect for what all those service men and women have done for us! Disgraceful."
Members of the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion helped with the replacement of the wreaths and in providing support for those upset by the damage caused.
John Shaw, chairman, was among those who praised the witness who prevented the flames from spreading further.
TORCHES
The witness, who wished to remain anonymous, explained: "I could see they had torches and then I saw the flames coming from the war memorial.
"I ran over and stamped the fire out. I am an ex-Crediton firefighter and it was lucky that I saw it.
"I shouted at them and when they saw me they ran off into the park but I could not see which way they went as it was so dark.
"I called the police who attended and they did a search but couldn't find anyone.
"Three wreaths were ruined and I even felt bad stamping on them to put the flames out. The police took the remains of the wreaths away.
"It is sad and makes no sense but all I can add, is I hope if anyone knows anything, that they contact the police."
The people of Crediton have started to get over their shock and anger.
Becky Collins, who runs Cartoonz sweet shop in Crediton High Street, said she wanted to start fundraising to replace the damaged wreaths.
The former friend of Jamie, said: "It's absolutely awful that this has happened to little old Crediton. We are a nice town; there were so many people at the service on Sunday paying their respects. To think someone had gone out of their way to do this!
"Jamie was very well known and was a part of our big group of friends. Everyone is absolutely shocked and disgusted by it."