£1,000 reward offered to find Victoria Cross hero Ian Fraser road sign thieves

Sep 12 2011 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Echo

AN ANONYMOUS Liverpool businessman has offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for stealing signs erected in memory of a war hero.

The family of former Lt Cdr Ian Fraser were shocked after hearing last week that signs marking a section of Wirral promenade, named after Mr Fraser, were stolen.

The businessman who has put up the reward says he has connections with New Brighton where the signs had been placed.

He said he was disgusted by the theft after reading about it and contacted the ECHO to offer the reward.

Ian Fraser’s daughter-in-law, Leah, said the offer “restores your faith in humanity”.

Cllr Harry Smith, Wirral Council’s cabinet member for streetscene, said: “The apparent theft of these signs is deeply disrespectful to Ian’s memory and extremely upsetting to his family.

“What has been heartening, however, is the positive response we’ve received from so many local people who share our disgust at the theft and our determination that the people responsible are not allowed to get away with it.

“We will be replacing the signs as soon as possible and council officers have reported the incident to police.

“Hopefully, with the public’s help those responsible for taking them will be identified and dealt with by the courts.”