Colchester poppy seller has box stolen by thieves

Trevor Orton, who is 81 and served a 15 year stint in the armed forces, was outside the NatWest bank collecting for the Poppy Appeal in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.

But he was left sprinting after two teenagers down Colchester High Street after they made off with his poppy collection box which contained about £150.

When Mr Orton gave up the chase, it then transpired that the two teenagers had been outside the former site of the Debenhams department store as they looked to pose as volunteers for the Poppy Appeal themselves.

The incident took place at just before 3pm on Wednesday, but members of the public acted quickly alongside the police to make sure the poppy box was found.

Mr Orton, who was undeterred by the theft and will be out again selling poppies today, said it was the first time it had happened to him since he started selling poppies in Colchester.

He said: “I had a case of this in London but it’s the first time it’s happened to me in Colchester – I just can’t understand why these youngsters stoop so low.

“I’m not very well and have some medical issues – it’s the first time I’ve run so fast in the past five years.

“I was running down the street shouting ‘Stop them, stop them’.”

Praise also went to two women who helped the police in their search for those responsible.

Essex Police confirmed two teenagers had subsequently been arrested.

A spokesman said: "We are investigating the theft of a poppy tin from a stand outside the Nat West bank on Colchester High Street between 2.10pm and 2.40pm on Wednesday 9 November.

"Two 13 year-old boys have been arrested – one on suspicion of theft and the other on suspicion of theft of a pedal cycle and criminal damage.

"They have both been released under investigation."

Mr Orton added: “This isn’t about me, it’s about the police reacting as quickly as they did, and the support from the public.

“I’m just selling the poppies.”