The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Peterhead sweet shop owner ‘disgusted’ by Poppy Scotland tin theft
The owner of a Peterhead sweet shop is “absolutely devastated” after a heartless thief stole a Poppy Scotland charity tin from her business, just days after Remembrance Sunday.
Bon Bon on Queen Street was targeted on Thursday and it is believed the culprit or culprits could have made off with as much as £300.
Another shop in the town, Ray Allan’s Bakers on Broad Street, was also targeted on the same day.
Fiona Chalmers, who opened Bon Bon eight years ago, said she was “disgusted” and admitted she was annoyed at herself for failing to ensure her camera covered the tin.
“My CCTV is pointed slightly away from where the tin was,” she said.
“The thing is, people are always asking you if you’ve got things behind the counter or in the back and you walk away – it could have happened in just two seconds.
“The kids come in at lunchtime and leave their change with us a lot of the time and once they’re done we fill up the tin. That’s when someone noticed it had gone.
“We normally empty our charity tins regularly but hadn’t with that one so I think there easily could have been £300 in there.
“It’s absolutely devastating, it’s just disgusting.
“I’m annoyed at myself for not having the cameras facing on to it, if it had just been a few inches to the side, we would have a great view.”
Bon Bon is offering a £200 reward to anyone with any information.
Police are looking to trace a man and woman who were seen on Broad Street at about 1.40pm on Thursday.
The man is described as 5ft 2ins, medium build with dark clothes. The woman is medium build, with dark brown shoulder-length hair and had a local accent.
PC Ross Dewar, who is leading inquiries, said: “Any theft is inexcusable but to steal money from charity is particularly heartless. Inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.”