Veterans have condemned the ‘desecration’ of a Fife war memorial, after it was targeted by thieves.
A reward is being offered for the return of a bronze statue of a soldier stolen from the memorial outside St Mary’s Church in East Wemyss.
Residents and veterans are outraged at the “disgusting” theft of the 3ft figure, which has been a key feature of the memorial since the 1920s.
It is the second time the statue has gone missing and there are fears it will be melted down.
Rob Scott, who chairs the Fife branch of The Black Watch Association, said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting. These reprobates should be found and put in prison.
“This is like desecrating hundreds of graves. The most disgusting part of it is they will either melt it down or sell it. I just can’t comprehend it.”
The memorial commemorates local soldiers who have lost their lives in conflicts from the time of the First World War.
It disappeared overnight on Tuesday and was reported missing by a resident on Wednesday.
It stood atop a 7ft pillar and it is believed more than one person would have been needed to lift it because of its weight.
Publican Bill Calley from the Wemyss Central Hotel has put up a reward of £250 and said that total could be boosted by other business.
He said: “You just can’t get your head around it.”
The statue went missing for nearly three years in the 1990s after it was hacked off its plinth and stolen.
It is understood it was eventually found at an address in Halifax as police searched the property on another matter.
Councillor Jim Young said: “I think it’s horrendous.”
The memorial forms the centrepiece for the village’s Armistice Day services organised by Black Watch veteran George Gill.
Mr Gill said: “It’s a disgrace anybody should do something like that.”
Police Scotland’s Fife division are appealing for anyone with information about the theft to get in touch on 101.
Photo courtesy ofthe Scottish Military Research GroupUPDATE: The statue has now been recovered. Click here for more.