A SOLDIER has been left devastated following the theft of a box of his service medals.

The box, which was stolen from a vehicle parked on Norton Road in Stockton at 11am on Monday, April 26, contained three military service medals relating to service in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.

The first has yellow, red and black ribbon with the Queens head on one side and a horse with wings on the other.

The second has a light blue, dark blue and red ribbon with the Queens head on one side and crowns in a circle on the other.

The third has purple and green ribbon with the writing for campaign service on one side and the Queens head on the other.

PC Shaun Jackson of Stockton Police said: "The theft of these medals is highly disrespectful and I would urge anyone with any information as to their whereabouts to get in touch with us straight away.

"The medals are very distinctive and each medal also has the name and rank of the officer on them so someone somewhere must know the whereabouts of these items."

Anyone with information is urged to call PC Jackson on 01642-326326.