Prizes stolen from charity

Thieves have struck at a Royal British Legion club twice in one week, stealing metal and charity raffle prizes.

They caused £1,000 of damage when they raided the site in High Bullen, Wednesbury.

And members were left devastated yesterday after members discovered a cabin storing prizes for the annual Poppy Appeal had been taken.

Mrs Linda Yates, Poppy Appeal organiser, said the legion was first targeted on January 19 when metal from a chimney flue was stolen. Then yesterday it was found thieves had broken into a storage cabin on the grounds of the car park, ripping off a padlock to get into the unit.

"They have gone through boxes to see if they can find money, and a couple of raffle prizes, cuddly toys and a couple of jigsaw puzzles and toiletries have gone," she said.

Mrs Yates, who said the legion raised £11,030 towards last year's Poppy Appeal, added: "I feel like crying. It is charity."

Police are now looking through CCTV at the site to try and identify the thieves.