A gang of thieves are stealing charity poppy collection boxes causing outrage among war heroes and their families.

Poppy Appeal charity boxes have been snatched from five sites across the borough since they were distributed by the Royal British Legion at the end of October.

Chad Carress, Croydon Royal British Legion branch secretary, said: “We think it maybe the same gang who has targeted us before. It is such a callous act it is quite shocking.”

The first theft took place at Whitgift Service Station, Brighton Road just two days after about 500 boxes were handed out across Croydon.

Police confirmed a teenage boy and girl took the box off the counter just after 6.35pm on October 26.

In another theft, three thieves targeted Dimple Newsagents, London Road on November 1, just metres from the charity’s Croydon base.

Bill Cumber, chairman of the Croydon branch, said: “It does seem to happen each year but to have five taken already that is pretty terrible."

Last year Croydon British Legion, which celebrated its 90th anniversary this year, raised about £43,000 from the poppy appeal, but were the victims of two charity box thefts.

Mr Carress, who served in the Cheshire Regiment as a UN peacekeeper in Cyprus, said: “It seems one person will distract the shop assistant while the others grab the box. I’m not sure they realise they are insulting not only the families of those who fought for our country, but everyone who gives to support the cause.”

Jay Joshi, who works at Dimple Newsagents, said he had just emptied the box before the theft.

He said: “There were three or four guys, they came in and were looking around then suddenly grabbed it and ran. They only got 10p or 20p because I had just emptied into a security bag.”

The Legion will lay a wreath in memory of soldiers who fell during World War 1 at the war memorial on Katharine Street, Croydon at 11am on Friday November 11.