COUNCILLORS have hit out at vandals who removed wreaths from the war memorial in Ross-on-Wye.

Wreaths were taken from the memorial at The Prospect and thrown into the flower beds.

Former mayor Phil Cutter said something must be done to stop this disgraceful behaviour.

He said one thing that could help is if police officers do more patrols around the town on foot.

“It’s a disgrace. Somehow this has got to be stopped,” he said.

“I know the police are absolutely pushed and I fully support them.

“But I feel that when they are going on and off shift and when they are in Ross, parking up their vehicle they could just literally do a walk.

“That might help. Some of the general public are going to see what they can do about reporting these things.”

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Mayor Daniel Lister said it was a great shame that anyone would want to upset those who are trying to remember.

“They are difficult times as it is.

“We don’t need that kind of behaviour to be carried out as well.

“It’s a shame that the youth or younger people in the town are being blamed straight away.

“If it is them, I wonder whether it is a reflection of the fact the youth clubs have been closed and can’t operate.

“But I don’t feel we can automatically jump and say it’s the younger generation because it may be the older generation.

“We have to respect those who have laid wreaths.”

“I know there are some comments about the police not doing anything to prevent this from happening.

“But we only have limited amount of police in the town. And at time there could be two or three which are actually working.”

“It’s just a great shame to see it happen but we will do everything we possibly can in trying to prevent it from happening in the future.”