Thieves stole the flag of the Royal Anglian Regiment last night from the Chatteris memorial – ironically whilst their band was performing in the parish church.

Major Norman Larke of Chatteris Royal British Legion said the vandalism was the action of a “mindless a***hole”,

He said that after discussing it with committee members “we will leave the pole empty; it might help to concentrate others on the theft.”

One angry resident posted to Facebook today: “Sometime last night or early hours of this morning, some ignorant so-and-so decided to steal a flag from our War Memorial…again.

“It was the flag of the Royal Anglian Regiment (who by a twist of irony were here last night for a concert).

“Why, why why? What is wrong with people?”

She added: “We will unfortunately have one empty flagpole for today’s commemorations.”

Last week many townsfolk were upset after someone sat on and attempted to vandalise the Chatteris in Bloom Remembrance Horse project.

“You are very lucky not to have disembowelled yourself,” said one resident.

“It is now unstable, which is disappointing, right before Remembrance Day.

“I really do wonder why we bother.”

Last night’s concert was presented by the Chatteris branch of the Royal British Legion with a mixture of music. The first half remembered the Great War.