'Poppy Burning Scumbags' Arrested

Two teenagers have been arrested after they posted a picture of themselves on a social networking site, burning a poppy, a symbol used to remember soldiers who died in conflicts.

The duo seen grinning as the poppy burned posted the photograph on Facebook following this Internet threats and insults were exchanged.

Both the photograph and a subsequent page, labelling the pair as "poppy burning scumbags", have now been taken down.

Police confirmed yesterday they had made a number of arrests and it is understood the photographed two are among those arrested.

Dervock Royal British Legion member, Steven Phillips saw the photograph and said: "The two boys were sticking two fingers up to the whole of society by their actions."

He continued: "It wasn't just Protestants that died in the field in the First and Second World Wars, there were Catholic soldiers, Hindus, Muslims, people from all religions."

A PSNI spokesman confirmed they had taken the complaint seriously.

"Police have become aware of the existence of certain material on social media networks," he said.

"Police have begun an investigation and have made a number of arrests."

(LB)