Two held over Oxford Poppy Appeal cash thefts (From Oxford Mail)

Two held over Oxford Poppy Appeal cash thefts

5:44pm Thursday 12th November 2009 in News By Thom Airs

POLICE investigating the thefts of a number of Poppy Appeal collection boxes made two arrests in Oxford today.

A 25-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were taken into custody in Fettiplace Road, Barton, after the Oxford Mail published CCTV images of a couple the police wanted to question about a theft at Headington hairdressers Salon Scandinavia.

Lynn Grandi, who manages the Eatwells Community Café at the Barton Neighbourhood Centre, in Underhill Circus, witnessed the arrests.

She said: “Someone told me three police cars had gone up, and I walked up to see what was going on.

“After about 10 minutes they brought the guy out in handcuffs, then a bit later along they brought out the woman.”

She added: “Everyone you speak to about the thefts thinks it’s the lowest of the low.

“It just shows how shameless some people can be.”

The man and woman are being held at the city’s St Aldate’s police station.

Ten other other Poppy Appeal boxes have been stolen in the city in the past six weeks.