Heartless Thives Steal from Royal British Legion

August 30, 2012, 6:29 pm

Police have released the image of a lorry after a 20 foot shipping container was stolen in Salford.

Sometime between 4pm on Thursday 23 August 2012 and 12pm on Tuesday 28 August 2012, thieves stole a large silver aluminium container from the private grounds of The Royal British Legion at Ordsall District Centre, Ordsall.

Stored within the container was a large amount of property including memorial plaques, service medals and around 6000 poppies.

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The container has a partly repaired wooden roof.

Now police have released a picture of the lorry believed to have been used in the theft and Crimestoppers are offering a £2,000 reward for information that is supplied to them that leads to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Ewart from Salford CID said “We have studied the CCTV footage and we believe this lorry was used to transport the container from Ordsall District Centre.

“It is thought the vehicle is a Volvo FL6 or FL7.

“I would ask anyone who may have seen a lorry similar to this driving in the area between Thursday 23 August and Tuesday 28 August, to contact us as soon as possible.  Dont forget, there is a £2,000 reward that Crimestoppers are offering for information that is supplied to them that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this crime.

Chairman of Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, said: “This is a hugely disrespectful and heartless crime that has robbed a Royal British Legion Club of its history.

“The people responsible for this theft should not be allowed to get away with this crime and must be brought to justice. I am appealing to anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers anonymously and ensure that these individuals cannot reoffend or cause anyone else distress.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 5351 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A full breakdown of what was stolen:

Memorial plaques

Service medals

Approximately 6000 poppies

Poppy wreaths

Poppy crosses

Poppy appeal wristbands

Poppy collector hi vis jackets

British Legion and Union Jack flags.