Astley Bridge park: Remembrance Day artwork stolen

Schools and community groups around the Astley Bridge area made paintings to mark the commemorations last month. 

The artwork was then installed on the railings at Astley Bridge Park.

But it has now been discovered that some of the artworks were stolen from their places. 

Primary schools, secondary schools and a church had artwork installed there.

Ward councillor Hilary Fairclough said: "It is a weird one, normally we might expect it to be damaged but they have just taken two, could be three, of the artworks. 

"As far as I know, they have not damaged them, just snapped the ties, and they have not damaged anything else such as the poppies. 

"The railings continued two pieces of art from each of our schools, as well as Oldhams Church. 

"I don't think they were taken until after remembrance. I could only think somebody thought they were that good that they wanted them in their own home or something." 

Another piece of artwork on the railings (Image: Public)

She added: "We have had little incidents of vandalism, nothing ever on the artwork thankfully, but things like a postbox topper being stolen. 

"Put that down possibly to anti-royalists. In the last 10 years or so, displays around Astley Bridge have never had issues with vandalism or being stolen or anything. 

"It is a little bit disconcerting that it has happened. 

"Sometimes people come forward with 'oh it's such a body' or would find it in a park vandalised so it is a little bit of a mystery." 

Cllr Fairclough said the police had not been contacted about this issue. 

This comes after the Starbucks on Blackburn Road was vandalised last month. 

Windows could be seen boarded up, with its drive-thru only being functional on November 6, although it was made fully functional afterwards. 

If you have any information about the theft contact police on 101.