Royal British Legion volunteers are abused by ‘left-wing idiots’ as they put up poppies and Union Jack flag ahead of Remembrance Day

Royal British Legion volunteers were abused by ‘left-wing idiots’ while putting up poppies and Union Jack flags in a seaside town.

Volunteers in Penarth, South Wales, were allegedly met with ‘abuse and threats’ as they placed poppies and flags on a lamp post ahead of Remembrance Day.

An investigation has been launched by police after volunteers said they were ‘subjected to horrendous abuse by mindless left-wing idiots’.

It’s been claimed on social media that the volunteers were both Royal Navy veterans who are ‘immensely patriotic’ and have been decorating the town for Remembrance Sunday ‘for many years’. 

Volunteer Karen Jones said: ‘In a small friendly town, such as ours, you do not expect poppy appeal volunteers to get abuse when putting up memorial lamp post poppies and flags for the Remembrance period.

‘Our volunteers were approached this morning and met with abuse and threats to come back and take the poppies and flags down.

‘The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is not political, it is to remember the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that people have “Free Speech”.

‘Please do not hesitate to report any person attempting to take down the flags and poppies to the police.’

An investigation has been launched by police after volunteers said they were ‘subjected to horrendous abuse by mindless left-wing idiots’. Pictured: The flags put up by the Royal British Legion volunteers

Mother-of-two Karen went on to say the abuse had been reported to the police and that officers are now investigating.

Her husband Nick claimed volunteers had been ‘subjected to horrendous abuse by mindless left-wing idiots when putting up lamp post poppies’. 

He added: ‘What is this country coming to?’

Royal British Legion (RBL) volunteers operate from a caravan in the town centre where they sell poppies and other memorial items every autumn to raise money for the charity. 

The Victorian seaside town is often voted the best place to live in Wales for its coastal location on the Bristol Channel, independent shops and proximity to Cardiff.

A police spokesperson said: ‘South Wales Police is currently investigating an alleged public order offence which took place on Windsor road, Penarth on Sunday, October 26.’ 

At any given moment, the RBL is helping more than 7,000 members of the armed forces community with expert advice and practical support.

This year’s appeal, which was launched last week, aims to raise more than £50 million.