Poppy Box Stolen From Sunderland Chippy As Thief Is Caught On Video

Watch The Heartless Moment A Poppy Tin Was Swiped From A Sunderland Chippy

Police are hunting a thief suspected of stealing a poppy collection tin from a Sunderland Fish and Chip shop.

The man is wanted after the Royal British Legion collection box was taken from Redz Fish and Chip shop on Friday.

Chippy boss George Redford told the Sunderland Echo: "I just can't understand people like that. That money is for people who have given their lives for their country."

Vince Harris, Royal British Legion vice-chairman for Sunderland, added: "Anyone who pinches a charity collection tin has to be a low-life."

Police have released these two images of two men who it is believed may have information which may help with enquiries.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Police have released CCTV images of two men they need to speak to who it’s believed may have information which may help with enquiries.”

Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, quoting reference 818 10/11/14, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

It follows two brothers who admitted stealing Poppy Appeal collection tins having been jailed on Armistice Day with their crimes branded "despicable" by police.

Adam and Karl Tookey, aged 22 and 25, were caught on CCTV taking a collection box from the Holiday Inn in Sandwell in the West Midlands, on Wednesday, November 6.

The brothers were also charged with a further theft of a poppy collection tin from the Britannia Hotel in Birmingham, the same day.

Both men, of Thornfield Road, Birmingham, today pleaded guilty to two charges of theft at Warley Magistrates' Court and were later jailed for a total of 12 months each.

PC Wendy Wright, of West Midlands Police, said: "These were really despicable crimes that not only disrespected our armed forces but the honour in which all our servicemen and women have served our country."

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