Police are investigating the theft of five poppy wreaths taken from The Cenotaph in The Diamond in Derry and later recovered during the early hours of Monday, November 9.

Police said they were alerted to the incident at around 12.40am.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Officers responded and a male suspect - described as being around six feet tall - was seen dropping the wreaths and running off in the direction off the Bogside. Police recovered the wreaths, and enquiries are ongoing.

"The incident is being investigated as theft motivated by sectarian hate and anyone who may have information or footage which could assist enquiries is asked to report it to police calling 101, or by using the witness appeal form https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals, quoting reference 26 of 09/11/26.

Wreaths at a previous Remembrance Sunday held at the war memorial at the Diamond. (File picture)

placeholder image — Wreaths at a previous Remembrance Sunday held at the war memorial at the Diamond. (File picture)

"You can also give information to Crimestoppers by calling their 24/7 Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website Crimestoppers-uk.org

"Crimestoppers is completely independent of the police and the reward is paid directly by them.”