Outrage at theft of Bristol Poppy Appeal collection tins

Thieves have stolen more than 30 Poppy Appeal collection tins from bars, restaurants and banks in Bristol.

The thefts are estimated to have deprived the Royal British Legion's campaign of around £3,000 in lost donations.

It is believed to be the highest number of collection thefts ever to hit the appeal in Bristol.

Many of the thefts were carried out on Armistice Day, November 11, and the previous day when the tins were almost full with weeks of donations.

Some businesses affected believe the thieves were in their 20s and worked as a gang to steal the boxes. The thefts have been condemned by the Royal British Legion, Avon and Somerset Police, the Government, MPs and the businesses targeted.

Defence Minister Bill Rammell told the Bristol Evening Post: "I am disgusted by the theft of Poppy Appeal collection tins in Bristol.

"The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal offers great support and comfort to millions of our current and ex-servicemen and their families and I was very pleased to back the appeal once again this year."

Most of the collection tins were taken from premises in Colston Street, Baldwin Street, Wine Street, Christmas Street, King Street, Park Street and the Whiteladies Road.

The Poppy Appeal raises money for all ex-servicemen and women and their families who require help in civilian life.

Help is also available for soldiers who return injured from conflict and have to leave the armed services.

Premises targeted by the thieves include HSBC on Park Street, The Bristol Ram, Beijing Bistro, The Folk House, Bobby's fish and chip shop, Central Studio, the Three Sugar Loaves, Colston Yard, Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol Fashion, Leeds Building Society in Wine Street, Stroud and Swindon in Corn Street, and the Llandoger Trow in King Street.

Staff at All In One in Park Street and The Green House in College Green also said attempts were made to steal their tins.

Last year 12 tins were stolen in the city centre, costing the fundraising campaign an estimated £1,000 in lost donations.

But this time Roger Duddridge, chairman of the Legion's Bristol branch and deputy chairman of the Somerset county RBL, said 33 tins are currently unaccounted for.

Mr Duddridge, 73, said: "It is appalling. This is the worst I have ever seen it in 40 years of collecting.

"We always expect half a dozen boxes to go missing but this is a significant and worrying increase.

"I feel very sick that it has happened and feel very sorry for people that the only way they can get money is like this. They are taking money out of the pockets of wives and families who have lost a loved one or troops that are returning injured from war. It is shocking.

"Some premises reported having a group of young men in their 20s come in and then noticing the tin had gone missing after some of them had caused a disturbance.

"It is a sick mentality that allows these people to steal the tins. It is very hurtful and disrespectful but sadly something we have to live with in this society."

RBL's head of welfare Douglas Sandrone, 74, added: "Last year was bad enough but this year we have really been targeted. I have never known it so bad.

"They targeted shops on November 10 and 11 because I think they knew the tins would be pretty full.

"It is not even so much about the money but the principle of the thing. It just shows a breathtaking lack of respect for the Armed Forces and what they have done for this country."

Vin Thong, assistant manager at Beijing Bistro, said: "It was a very busy night and we believe a group of youths may have distracted staff when the tin was taken.

"We didn't realise the tin was missing until afterwards. It was very upsetting but luckily we managed to raise some more money."

Tim Pie from HSBC said a man had distracted staff and placed the tin under his coat before leaving.

He said: "It is a fairly despicable act by this person. It is a sad state of affairs."

Mr Pie said CCTV footage had been provided to the police.

Sergeant Stephen Bell of Avon and Somerset police said: "We take any reports of theft very seriously and would urge people to report to us thefts of charity collection tins so we can investigate further.

"These kinds of thefts are particularly cruel because the money stolen from the tins would otherwise be donated to charity."

Anyone with information should call the police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

MPs from the Bristol area have united to condemn the Poppy Appeal tin thefts.

Shadow Defence Secretary and Woodspring MP Liam Fox said: "The Royal British Legion, and its annual Poppy Appeal, represent the very best about Britain in the commitment and honour of its armed forces.

"There are many service personnel, veterans and families who depend on help funded by the generous donations of the British public every autumn.

"How despicable then that criminals would target such an organisation, and what a stark contrast to the courage of our armed forces. I know that everyone in the area will be hoping, as I am, that these lowlifes are found and brought to justice as soon as possible."

Stephen Williams, Lib Dem Bristol West, said: "The theft of any charity collection is despicable but stealing from the Royal British Legion in the run-up to Armistice Day will cause a sense of outrage among all Bristolians."

Doug Naysmith, Labour Bristol North West, said: "This is a disgraceful affair. The families who have lost service men and women, not just recently but in the past, will be angry and rightly so."

Labour whip and Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy said: "It's a despicable act. Everyone will abhor the behaviour of people who will stoop to this level. It beggars belief. Families will find this very distressing."

Dawn Primarolo, children's minister and MP for Bristol South, said: "This is an absolutely despicable crime. Many thousands of Bristolians donate to the Royal British Legion by buying a poppy every year.

"Somebody must know the identity of the thieves, and I would urge anyone with any information at all to contact the police so these criminals can be brought to justice."