Poppy box stolen as UK remembers

THE thief — bottom right — picks up the box

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

CCTV cameras captured the moment when a customer stole Poppy Appeal money on Remembrance Sunday.

Regulars at the Last Orders pub, in Oldham Road, Failsworth, were left fuming after cash donated to the Royal British Legion appeal went missing.

The plastic collection box, which had been chained to the bar, was stolen at 6pm.

Landlady Mary Mooney (55) said: “People are quite loyal round here and the men in the pub had put in a lot of effort.

“There was quite a lot of money in the box, including notes. We didn’t notice it had gone until later that evening.

“When we checked the CCTV footage it showed a man asking for change. While the bar staff were away, he grabbed the box and hid it under his coat.”

Failsworth came out in force on Sunday, and Mrs Mooney was one of around 2,000 people attending a remembrance service at the war memorial.

The theft was reported to the police the following morning and officers will be analysing the CCTV footage.

Mrs Mooney said regulars did not recognise the man but they believe he is from the Newton Heath area.

She said: “For some scumbag to do that on Remembrance Sunday is appalling. This pub and the community had put a lot of effort into collecting for the appeal.

“If the man had been caught trying to steal the box, I don’t think he would have been able to walk out of the pub.”

Anyone with information should call 0161-856 8981 and leave a message for PC Jason Williams. Or they can call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800-555 111.