This is why the statue of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell is set to be removed

By Finlay Greig
Published 11th Jun 2020, 16:47 BST
Updated 11th Jun 2020, 16:47 BST
Some locals have defended the statue's presence in Poole (Getty Images)Some locals have defended the statue's presence in Poole (Getty Images)
Some locals have defended the statue's presence in Poole (Getty Images)

A statue of the founder of the Scouts Movement is to be removed from its location in Dorset over fears that it could be targeted by vandals.

The move comes following the forced removal of a statue dedicated to slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol by Black Lives Matter protestors.

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Now statues with links to slavery and racism have become the subject of debate over their place in 21st century Britain.

Robert Baden-Powell’s links to the Hitler Youth movement in Germany has seen his statue’s presence in Poole become a target of demonstrators.

Who was Robert Baden-Powell? 

Born in London in 1857 Baden-Powell was awarded a scholarship to Charterhouse School.

It was there and during the summer holidays that he began to pick up skills and crafts as he enjoyed the great outdoors, according to the Scouts website, which described him as a "young adventurer".