Hospital poppy collection tin thief hunted

The thief targeted the tin after spotting it in the ground floor reception of St. John’s Hospital in Livingston, West Lothian.

Lothian and Borders Police said the incident occurred between 12.30 and 12.45pm on Saturday.

The charity box had been left on the reception desk within the OPD2 area to allow staff and visitors to give money. However, when a nurse went to make a donation she found the tin had been stolen.

Officers are keen to trace a man seen acting suspiciously in the area prior to the theft.

He is described as white, between 22 and 26 years old, average height with a slim build and dark medium length hair. He was wearing a light grey hooded top with a yellow zip and a yellow inner hood lining and motif on the left side of the chest, dark grey jogging bottoms, black trainers and was carrying a newspaper.

A police spokesman said: “This was an opportunistic theft that has robbed the intended charity of their much needed donations.”

Anyone with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.