Teenager arrested after banner stolen from poppy memorial

Shows a large number of white crosses in a grassy area with houses in the background, without the large poppy on feature which was stolen

The 16-year-old was arrested and later bailed on suspicion of offences, including theft from a Remembrance poppy memorial in the Fountain estate

A teenage boy has been arrested and subsequently bailed in connection with a banner reported to have been stolen from a Remembrance poppy memorial in Londonderry.

The 16-year-old was arrested on Monday on suspicion of offences including theft from the display in the Fountain area at the weekend.

Separately, police have said they are also continuing to investigate an incident in which the same memorial display, commemorating people from the area who died in World War One, was also damaged.

The incident is being treated as a sectarian hate crime and police appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

People are standing solemnly- outside in coats and formal attire at an armistice ceremony. Poppy wreaths can be seen on the steps up to the memorial. Buildings can be seen in the background.

Wreaths were laid at the Diamond on Tuesday to mark the end of World War One

Meanwhile, police are also investigating a poppy wreath being stolen from the War Memorial in the Diamond area of the city.

Police believe this happened some time between early Sunday and when it was reported on Tuesday.

This incident is also being treated as a sectarian hate crime and police have appealed for information.

Derry's deputy mayor Niree McMorris , wearing a blue and green dress and with fair hair, stands in front of Derry's war memorial

Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris says the theft is concerning

Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris, of the Democractic Unionist Party (DUP), said the targeting of memorials was "getting beyond a joke now".

"Every time there is an act of remembrance, people are having to lift the wreaths before they are stolen," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

John Boyle stands in front of the war memorial in Derry. Mr Boyle is wearing a blue shirt, eye glasses, and a brown coat. The strap of a bag is over his right shoulder

SDLP councillor John Boyle, whose grandfather was injured in World War One, condemned what he called the 'descrecation'

SDLP councillor John Boyle, whose grandfather was injured as a teenage soldier in World War One, condemned the theft.

He described it as an "act of desecration" and "completely disrespectful to the fallen".

Christopher Jackson stands in front of the war memorial in Derry. He has short dark hair and is wearing a dark jacket, fully buttoned up

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson

The incidents over recent days are "wrong", Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson told BBC News NI.

"We pride ourselves in being a city of respect and tolerance of other people's culture and traditions," he said.

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