POLICE are investigating a break-in to an annexe building at Blandford’s Legion House which saw three First World War medals and £40 worth of donations stolen.

The Poppy Stables at the site on Church Lane were reportedly broken into sometime between 1pm on Monday (May 12) and 12pm on Wednesday (May 14).

Blandford Royal British Legion (RBL) chairman Terry Clarkson said the meeting room – which serves as a safe space for members to meet with veterans and their families who need support – was trashed following the break in.

He said it looks like a knife was taken to the upholstery of a settee and armchair, with these now being “completely unusable”.

The medals reportedly stolen were bequeathed to the branch by the family of Pte T.F.Jarrett who served in the Royal West Kent Regiment, and Terry said Jarrett’s name will be engraved around the edge of at least two of them.

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He said that stealing from the RBL is “about as low as you can go”.

“The intruders also went into the poppy room where we store poppy merchandise and wreaths and where all the work for the Poppy Appeal goes on.

“Here, they stole £40 that had been donated to the Poppy Appeal through the sale of VE Day badges, but they also took items of merchandise such as rulers, wrist bands, badges and lanyards, some of which has been recovered thanks to a public spirited dog walker who found them in Stour Meadow.

“I could go on, as there was a lot more damage to office equipment and other items. I feel stealing from a charity such as the RBL is about as low as you can go.”

He is asking for anyone that has any information about the medals to get in contact so he can get them back where they belong.

Dorset Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.

“We received a report at 2.15pm on Wednesday, May 14 of a break-in at the Legion House in Church Lane, Blandford Forum,” a spokesperson said.

“Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident. No arrests have been made.”