[MSN] UK. BNP offers reward for stolen war memorial

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

BNP offers reward for stolen war memorial

    Home Afairs correspondent reports.

    A BNP councillor is offering a £600 reward for information which leads to the conviction of thieves who stole a treasured and irreplaceable part of a war memorial.

    The culprits took a propeller salvaged from a crashed Mosquito plane in which the pilot died and the navigator was badly injured, from the International Mosquito Air and Ground Crew Memorial at the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre at Salisbury Hall, near London Colney.

    The incident happened at some time between October 16 and 17 from the memorial which was created in tribute to the Mosquito servicemen in the Second World War.

    The theft has left people at the museum and the many veterans who visit the memorial deeply saddened.

    Chairman Philip Birtles said the thieves had desecrated the memory of the servicemen and woman the cenotaph stood to represent.

    Incensed

    Markyate Parish Councillor Simon Deacon, who represents the British National Party, read about the incident and was so incensed he contacted his party’s Eastern Region headquarters to see about putting up a reward.

    They agreed to £500 and Cllr Deacon is offering £100 of his own money for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

    Cllr Deacon said that he was particularly angered by the crime, especially with Armistice Day approaching on November 11.

    He said: “This is something that can’t ever be replaced and what have they done? Probably sold it on for scrap for about £20!“

    The party had wanted to offer money for the safe return of the propeller because they felt that was the most important factor but the police told them this would be breaking the law as it could result in the thieves themselves benefiting financially.

    Anyone with any information about the incident should contact PC Karl Curran on 0845 3300 222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111


http://www.bnp.org.uk/reg_showarticle.php?contentID=2927