FUNDRAISERS are outraged that £3,000 of Poppy Appeal donations have been stolen.

Thieves stole 18 collection tins from a volunteer's home in Barkingside, which was discovered on Wednesday last week (November 18) when a volunteer came to collect them.

The theft comes only days after news of a collection tin being stolen from the Uplands Social Club in Woodford Bridge.

Royal British Legion member John Coombes, of Oaks Lane in Barkingside, said he was outraged that someone would steal funds donated by the public and destined for such a worthy cause.

Mr Coombes said: “I'm disgusted. I don't think these people have a conscience, I just don't think they have.

“We had two PCSOs round the other day, but they're not really qualified to do anything about it. The problem is we don't have any evidence, and the police won't prosecute any further unless we have any.”

Mr Coombes served with the Royal Air Force in the Middle East from 1959 to 1968 and has seen first-hand what vital support the Royal British Legion provides to ex-service personnel.

He said: “The charity supports people for the rest of their lives, if someone's lost their limb for example. The government doesn't do that, they never have all done. All these people have is the Legion.

“If anybody does happen to find any Poppy Appeal tins in dustbins or recycling facilities, or indeed anywhere where they shouldn't be, I would be most grateful to know.”

A police spokeswoman said: “It is really sad to think that the hard work of the dedicated couple has gone to waste and that someone would break into a house to steal the poppy appeal collection.”

Police are also reminding residents in the run-up to Christmas not to leave any valuables/presents on display and to ensure front and back doors are doubled-locked.