A “DISGUSTING” thief went prepared and sliced free a poppy appeal box containing donations for heroes from a bakers.

The thief deliberately targeted the box at the shop off Long Road, Canvey.

He walked into the shop and managed to remove the box, which was part of the Royal British Legion’s fundraising campaign, and was tied to the surface it was displayed on.

The thief carried out the act in broad daylight, managing to escape with the tin before any staff members could stop them.

It is unknown how much money was in the collection box.

Police were notified after the theft.

A spokesman for Grout’s confirmed the theft happened in the morning on Wednesday November 7, just a few days before the centenary of the end of the First World War and Armistice Day.

The spokesman said: “Everyone at the bakers was very, very upset about it all.

“The thief got in and out very quickly.

“The box was fixed down to the surface, but this thief clearly came in prepared to forcibly take it for themselves.

“All of the staff on duty were really upset to see it taken, no threats or assaults took place, but it’s shaken all of us.”

Canvey mayor Barry Campagna blasted the thief for targeting a poppy appeal box so close to the country commemorating the anniversary of the end of the Great War.

He said: “It’s absolutely disgusting.

“For anyone that can do something like that is utterly ridiculous, especially at this time when all of us are commemorating the anniversary of the end of one of the biggest wars in history.

“Whilst the majority of us are celebrating, these people are coming into stores and taking collection boxes.

“I can’t believe it.

“It seems to be happening all over the country.

“You see it on the news.

“These boxes appear to be easy targets for these thieves, but I simply can’t understand people doing it.”

Grout’s was not the only business on the island who had their collection boxes targeted, as the Castle Point Golf Course also had one stolen by a crook overnight on Sunday.

Mr Campagna added: “I’m genuinely lost for words, really

“ I’m sure everyone else who hears this news will be just as angry.

“I can’t understand it, or understand why anyone would take any charity collection boxes.

“The timing of this just makes it even worse.

“I hope whoever did this is caught, all people want to do is remember our fallen soldiers, and they are ruining it.

“It’s the lowest of the low.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are investigating after a charity tin was stolen from a bakers in Long Road, Canvey.

“A collection tin from the poppy appeal was stolen.

“A rope which was holding the tin in place was cut.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

It is not clear what was used to cut the rope.

Anyone with information call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.