POPPY appeal organisers today spoke of their disgust after a thief snatched a collection tin from a volunteer collector.

POPPY appeal organisers today spoke of their disgust after a thief snatched a collection tin from a volunteer collector.

The theft happened as the volunteer was collecting on outside Marks and Spencer in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.

He put the tin, full of donations for the Royal British Legion appeal, on the ground while he replaced the tray of poppies that had got wet in the rain.

Police said a man engaged him in conversation while he did this, and when the collector looked back to the pavement the tin had gone.

Press secretary for the poppy appeal in the Felixstowe area, Ann Warner said: “It is a terrible thing to have happened - simply dreadful.

“People have given this money for the ex servicemen and their families, people who fought for this country in war.

“You cannot believe what can happen sometimes but I am afraid that is what it is like now.”

Mrs Warner said thankfully it was the only incident of its type she had heard of during the poppy appeal campaign this time.

All the other boxes had now been collected in and sent off for counting.

The incident happened on Friday November 7 about 4.30pm.

A police spokeswoman said: “The area would have been busy at the time and we would like to hear from who saw what happened.”

Anyone with information about the incident or the thief should call Felixstowe police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

What should be the punishment for people who steal from charities? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk