CALLOUS thieves stole a Poppy Appeal collection box from Witley newsagent TE Francis on November 7.

Surrey Police would like to speak to a man and a woman in connection with the incident, which took place around 2.10pm. The man distracted the shopkeeper while the woman took the charity box from the front counter.

The couple made off in a black car in the Chiddingfold direction.

The man is described as white, around 5ft 3in tall, of a chubby build and with a mole on his face. The woman is described as white, around 5ft 1in tall, of a medium build, with long black hair. She was wearing a black hat and a black coat. Both are believed to have spoken with Eastern European accents.

The CCTV image was taken from an incident involving the theft of a Poppy Appeal tin later that day at the Southern Co-op in Hambledon Road, Denmead in Hampshire, which officers believe is related to the Witley theft.

Police Community Support Officer Dave Boxall, who is investigating the theft, said: Taking any kind of charity box is a despicable thing to do and on this occasion, taking a Poppy Appeal collection tin is also extremely disrespectful towards those who have given so much for our country."

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.