Hunt for poppy-box thief

A HEARTLESS thief who stole Remembrance Day poppy collection boxes has been condemned by a shocked village community.

The thief coolly took boxes from the counters of two shops in Uppermill just 24 hours before the traditional Remembrance Sunday services.

And today the police officer investigating the crime labelled him “callous and uncaring.”

Constable Mark Clough, GMP’s officer for Saddleworth North, said: “Everyone is deeply upset by these thefts. One of the shop assistants said she was utterly sickened by the them — it really is shocking.”

Saddleworth Royal British Legion branch officials estimate there could have been between £30 to £70 in each box at the Co-operative Pharmacy on Uppermill High Street and JW Buckley’s bakery 100 yards away on New Street.

Graham Scholes, who heads up the family JW Buckley’s bakery, said: “Most of the money for the poppies came from young children. It’s a dreadful thing to happen. We have never seen anything like this before.”

The thief asked for a drink and as the shop assistant busied herself to serve him, he nabbed the box from the counter.

At the pharmacy, one of the shocked lady assistants working at the time said: “The shop was packed and it wasn’t until a customer asked for a poppy we realised the box itself had vanished.

Police are looking for a scruffy Asian man, 20-30 years of age, of medium build, 5ft 5 ins tall, wearing a grey or black woollen hat and large dark coat.

Anyone with information should call 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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