POLICE have been criticised for not stopping traffic during the two-minute Armistice Day silence in Malvern.

Town clerk Richard Chapman, who said a police car even drove by during Friday's silence, had been told a road closure order was needed to stop traffic, even for two minutes.

In previous years no order has been necessary, as police have simply briefly stopped cars.

Town council chairman Ralph Madden has written to the police expressing his disappointment that traffic had shattered the silence.

"It showed a lack of respect, especially to the older generation," he said.

Road Closure Orders can be obtained through the district council, but require a six-week consultation period. "It's a waste of time and resources and seems a bit petty," said Mr Chapman.

"Remembrance has taken place at the same time on the same date for 80 years and they've always closed the roads for us before."

Insp Neville Sheldrick, of Malvern Hills Police, said the town council had been advised to put a road closure order in place before Friday.

"Without the order, officers are not empowered to arbitrarily stop vehicles for any given period from passing along any given route," he said.

"The two-minutes' silence at Belle Vue Terrace does not impact upon traffic and from that perspective there is no requirement for either a police presence or officers stopping traffic."

John Kimberley, of the Royal British Legion's Malvern Branch, said the situation had greatly upset some people.

Mr Chapman said the council would be forced to apply for closures to Abbey Road, Church Street and Belle View Terrace in future years.

"It's a bit much that you need a bit of paper to close a road for two minutes, but we have to ensure we get the silence," he said.

Two poppy wreaths were taken from the memorial at Barnards Green.

The wreaths, laid on Remembrance Sunday by members of Barnards Green Royal British Legion, disappeared sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday.

"So many soldiers gave their lives so that others could have their freedom. Whoever took the wreaths didn't think about that," said chairman Bob Langran, who served in the army during the Second World War.

Police are to view CCTV footage of Barnards Green.

Anyone with information should call 08457 444888.