Police are urging businesses to be vigilant after at least 13 charity collections were stolen in a succession of thefts across the north-east.
A number of shops have been targeted in the lead-up to Remembrance Day including one incident where four Poppy Scotland tins were taken.
In one incident, a man and woman were captured on CCTV stealing a Cash for Kids container from DW Fitness at Beach Boulevard Retail Park in Aberdeen.
VIDEO: Moment heartless crooks swipe charity bucket from Aberdeen gym
The footage shows the pair distracting workers while a man, dressed all in black, swipes the tin from the counter.
They were in and out of the gym in less than two-and-a-half minutes.
Fortunately, the bucket had been emptied shortly before they came in and is believed to have contained less than £100.
Had the thieves struck a few hours earlier, they could have made off with hundreds of pounds.
Meanwhile the poppy tubs were taken from shops in Turriff’s High Street between November 3 and November 4.
“Cruel” thieves steal four Poppy Appeal charity tins in Turriff
And two Sainsbury’s Local stores in the city centre and Garthdee areas of Aberdeen were also targeted.
Businesses in the Drummer’s Corner area of Peterhead also had tins stolen.
Police said they were following a positive line of inquiry and have issued a warning to traders.
Detective Sergeant George Nixon said: “I would like to remind business owners who have charity tins in their premises to be vigilant with the tins and to review security arrangements, particularly during business hours, to avoid any similar incidents happening to them.
“Stealing is unacceptable in any situation however it is especially disappointing when the thefts are from charities.
“We are currently investigating these incidents and I would appeal to anyone who has seen anything suspicious involving charity tins to call police with information.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.”
