Charity theft from BBC reception

The theft happened in BBC Radio Lincolnshire's reception area

The Royal British Legion is condemning the actions of a thief who stole a Poppy Appeal charity box from BBC Radio Lincolnshire's reception.

The man, thought to be in his 20s and wearing a white sports jacket and jeans, went into the building on Newport on Thursday afternoon.

He hid the charity box in his jacket after distracting the receptionist and casually walked out with it.

Tony Gordon from the British Legion said it was despicable.

"The amount of money that was going to be in there is not enormous in the great scheme of things.

"But why would somebody do that for a smallish amount of money and take the money that other people have given to help people in need?" he said.

BBC Radio Lincolnshire's managing editor Charlie Partridge added: "Isn't it sad that we have here on videotape proof of just how nasty people can be to each other?

"And there is nothing sacred - people will nick anything if it's not nailed down."