Members of an "over exuberant" stag do are being blamed for snapping a number of poppies just hours after a Cardiff war memorial was unveiled.
Barriers had to be erected around Cardiff’s ‘sea of poppies’ memorial to the war dead after the vandals struck on Saturday.
Cardiff council leader Phil Bale today described it as an "appalling, mindless act of vandalism" that reflected badly on those responsible.
The digital installation Field is a memorial for 923 Royal Welch Fusiliers killed during theFirst World War and was officially launched to the public on Friday night.
But on Saturday a number of the poppies were snapped and had to be replaced.
Barriers erected: Vandals strike at Cardiff's 'sea of poppies' war memorial
There is security round the clock for the memorial but that has also been increased since the attack.
Director of engagement at Wales National Opera Emma Flatley said: "Some of the poppies were snapped and had to be replaced. There is security, but it is a big field and difficult to be watching every part all the time.
"That is why we have to put the barriers in place and have a more controlled environment. It is very sad but it hasn't stopped hundreds of families coming down and enjoying the installation on Sunday morning. It is still very much open to the public.
"The response so far has been amazing and the majority of people have been respectful and have said it was great, modern day way of remembering, but there is a small minority who want to destroy things."
The poppy installation was officially launched outside the Wales Millennium Centre on Friday night.
Phil Bale said: "It is an appalling, mindless act of vandalism that reflects badly on those responsible and doesn't reflect on the incredible warmth that the majority of people in the city have welcomed the memorial.
"I was lucky enough to be at the unveiling on Friday night and felt it was a touching tribute in a prime position. It is a shame a small number of people have tried to spoil it."
When can you see it? Cardiff will launch its very own 'field of poppies' to honour the war dead
Created by award-winning international art and design collective Squidsoup, the illuminated installation will accompany the premiere of Welsh National Opera ‘s world premiere of In Parenthesis.
It will be on display outside the Cardiff Bay venue until June 22 and each of the 923 lights represents one of the fallen Royal Welch Fusiliers whose names are inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
One visitor tweeted in response: "Who'd want to vandalise a tribute to our brave#RoyalWelshFusiliers remembered on Thiepval & now in their Capital? Disgraceful!"
Another said: "Dear me! What a total lack of respect."
One person wrote on social media: "Absolutely disgusting. Some lunatics have no respect."
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/stag-blamed-act-vandalism-cardiff-11334379
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