Admiral Duncan pub nail bombing memorial 'goes missing'

The memorial listed the names of those killed by the attack in Old Compton Street in Soho

A metal plaque commemorating the victims of a nail bombing at a pub in central London has gone missing.

The memorial had been located in a churchyard close to the Admiral Duncan in Old Compton Street, where the explosion took place on 30 April 1999.

It listed the names of victims, Andrea Dykes, John Light and Nick Moore.

Anti-hate crime charity 17-24-30 reported it missing two weeks ago. Westminster Council put another up on the eve of the 14th anniversary.

St Anne's Gardens, where the memorial was sited, is managed by the council.

'Horrific attacks'

Mark Healy of 17-24-30 said he alerted the council after finding the brass plaque missing while on a visit to the site to prepare for a ceremony to mark the anniversary.

But Mr Healy believes it may have been taken before that.

"If anyone has taken the plaque, I hope that they will return it.

"It is a shame that it has gone missing as we approach the 14th anniversary of these horrific attacks," he added.

The replacement plaque will be installed on the eve of the anniversary

The replacement plaque costs £260, which is being shared by the charity and the council.

On Tuesday, a two-minute silence will be held at the memorial at 18:37 BST as part of a service to mark the anniversary of the attack.

A rainbow flag will also be draped over the replacement plaque which will be unveiled during the service, Mr Healy said.

The ceremony will pay tribute to the three people killed - Mrs Dykes, 27, who was four months pregnant; the best man at her wedding, John Light, 32; and their friend 31-year-old Nick Moore.

About 70 others were injured in the explosion - one of three carried out by David Copeland in London in the same month.

He received six life sentences, with a minimum of 50 years in prison, for three counts of murder and three counts of causing explosions to endanger life.

Councillor Ed Argar, the council's cabinet member for city management, said: "I find it appalling that anyone would steal the memorial plaque remembering those who died and were injured in the horrific Soho bombing of 1999.

"We have moved swiftly to get a replacement memorial delivered and installed ahead of the 14th anniversary of the Soho bombings."

The Metropolitan Police said the incident had not been reported as a crime but officers have visited the location.