Police are appealing for anyone with information with regards to the pride flag that was recently stolen outside The Laverton to get in contact to aid their investigations.
Westbury Town Council hung the pride flag on the flagpole of The Laverton in June to celebrate pride month to show their support for the local LGBTQ+ community, but it was recently torn down and stolen.
The local police say this is being considered as a potential hate crime. A spokesperson said, “We responded to reports of a pride flag being removed and stolen from outside Westbury Town Council sometime between 5pm on Wednesday 28th June and 8am on Thursday 29th June. Officers carried out enquiries including searching for CCTV around the town.
“This is being treated as a possible hate crime. We are appealing for anyone with information to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 54230068093.”
The Westbury Mayor, cllr Mike Sutton, said, “Westbury Town Council deplores the fact that the flagpole outside The Laverton was vandalised overnight, and the pride flag stolen. It is not known at this time whether the vandal was looking for a trophy or a disturbed individual who does not understand the values of our modern society.
“Whatever the motivation Westbury Town Council re-iterates its commitment of working towards a society where all people are treated the same and where prejudice and backward thinking have no place in our modern world.”
If you have any information contact the police on 101 with the above reference number.
