Police left red-faced over stolen war memorial plaques

Police have been left red-faced after it emerged officers launched an appeal and search for stolen war memorial plaques five days after they were handed in to a police station in Fife.

Police Scotland spent a week searching for the plates prised from the memorial in Milnathort, issued public appeals and even backed a kind-hearted reward of £1000 before they realised they were already in their possession.

The commemorative plaques bearing the names of brave service men who gave their lives in two world wars were handed over to officers by a community-spirited scrap metal dealer on Wednesday of last week.

He had confiscated the plaques from two men trying to sell them before alerting the authorities.

However, when police called him to warn him against buying the bronze plates, he informed them they were already safe in police custody.

The botched investigation has prompted criticism of he Scottish Government’s new single service by leading politicians, who have called on Chief Constable Stephen House to conduct a review.

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