Family devastated at lollipop man tributes theft

The family of a lollipop man beloved by generations of children in his community say they are "devastated" that floral tributes left in his honour near the school he served have been stolen.

Dave York, known as "Dave The Lollipop Man' in Wallasey, Wirral died on 14 July aged 76.

Two people were caught on camera taking some flowers that had been left outside Mount Primary School in New Brighton in his memory.

His daughter-in-law Kerry posted on social media: "They even returned a second time and took the lot. It's incredibly upsetting and difficult to understand why anyone would do something so heartless."

She appealed for information and said: "We're not looking for confrontation—we'd simply like to know who these people are and, hopefully, understand why this happened."

York told the BBC: "My absolutely amazing father-in-law. passed away last week - he was loved by so many children.

"He used to do so much for the children where he'd wear things on his hat. He'd wear an elf at Christmas on the back of his jacket.

"Yeah, he was just absolutely adored by not only the children from the school, but from us, his family."

She added: "There's high school children that used to come down the hill and see him and give him chocolates or sweets."

The retired painter and decorator was a popular local figure.

The theft was even more painful for the family as his 13-year-old grandson witnessed the first theft.

York said: "Being my son he told them, 'put those flowers down' but they drove off with them."

She added: "We are all devastated - they were just opposite the school where he used to be on crossing patrol.

"I'm pleased to say the school have taken all the cards in so in September, we will be able to go and get those."

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