A community in the Highlands has been left in shock after two flags flying to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force were stolen by vandals.
The six foot by four foot flags – a Union Jack and another depicting the centenary of the RAF – were erected on April 1 at Golspie’s Imperial War Memorial, located on the corner of Main Street and Station Road.
The flags were made specially for the occasion, to commemorate individuals from the village who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
John Melville, Chair of Golspie Heritage Society, said he noticed something wasn’t right during his daily walk for his paper. He said: “I happened to have a look about to make sure everything was okay and I realised something wasn’t right. There are 10 to a dozen wreaths there but the flags were gone and so were the ropes.
“The flags were made specially for the first of April so we are not going to get a replacement made. They were expensive enough.
“I don’t know what happened. The policeman said they have taken it but what can they possibly do with it, they can’t put it in their garden. It’s most likely been dumped. The recycling bins got emptied yesterday so it could be away in the skip.”
Councillor Richard Gale for East Sutherland and Edderton added: “I am really disappointed, the war memorial is important to Golspie. I am shocked at this incident.
“I hope it’s been just a silly prank. It has had a significant impact on the village but I hopeful it can be rectified; the sooner the better.
“The community always have respect towards the war memorial and there was a lot of time spent in restoring it. This is quite disappointing and shocking and I call on those responsible to replace the flags as soon as possible.”
The flags are believed to have been taken between 1am and 7pm on Monday and police are urging anyone with information to get in touch.
Constable Stephen Mackenzie said: “These flags were put in place at the memorial by members of the local community and for someone to steal them is particularly disrespectful.
“We would urge anybody who saw anything suspicious in the area or has information which could assist us to get in touch as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”