Manhunt for thief caught on CCTV stealing poppy collection box

But, despite his respectable appearance and the poppy on his lapel, giving cash to the Royal British Legion poppy appeal was the last thing on his mind.

Instead, he stole a collection box from the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, the historic ex-servicemen's home where 300 Chelsea Pensioners live.

After glancing around him, the thief furtively slipped the poppy box - containing around £50 - into a carrier bag before walking off.

But the man, who appears to be in his late 50s or 60s, was caught on closed- circuit television as he sneaked into the building in South-West London on his shameful foray last Friday.

Legion spokesman Mandy Castle said: "We are angered and dismayed by the theft of a poppy collecting tin. The legion deplores any such cowardly act, which has left all involved very upset.

"What is particularly despicable is that this man was brandishing a poppy while stealing from the very people he claimed to support."

The thief slipped into the ground-floor chapel, where a tray of poppies and a donation box was available to the public, at 1.50pm. Then he helped himself to the box.

Residents of the Royal Hospital, including 101-year- old William Swingler - who took part in the DDay landings - were devastated by the theft. The money was intended to help provide counselling, retraining and advice for ex-soldiers and their families.

Major General Peter Currie, lieutenant-governor at the hospital, said: "We are very shocked and saddened that someone would do this.

"I can think of few things more shameful than stealing a poppy appeal collection box. To do so at the home of the Chelsea Pensioners is particularly repulsive."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "This is a particularly callous crime a week before Remembrance Day. How low can you go?"

Anyone with information is asked to call Chelsea police station on 0208 246 0315.