‘Despicable’ theft of collection tin

Two men are being sought by police investigating the “despicable” theft of a poppy appeal collection tin. CCTV shows one suspect asking a hotel receptionist for a sheet of paper and another taking the money while staff are distracted. The theft took place at the Renaissance Hotel near Heathrow Airport at on November 9. Detective Constable Kris Latham, from Aviation Police, said: “Stealing a poppy appeal charity tin, or indeed any charity donation, is a despicable act.” He said they were determined to catch the thieves. Sajid Javid has delivered a staunch defence of the Prevent anti-terror scheme, insisting it plays a part in keeping Britain safe. Hitting back at “propaganda” and “false information” about the programme, the Home Secretary said it helps stop young people being preyed on by extremists and turns round hundreds of lives. Prevent aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. While police and ministers say it forms a crucial plank of anti-terror efforts, the initiative has repeatedly come under fire. A rotating roster of preachers has been leading a non-stop, round-the-clock service at a small Protestant chapel in The Hague for more than a month in an attempt to shield a family of Armenian asylum seekers from deportation. Under a centuries-old tradition, authorities in the Netherlands do not enter a church while a service is under way. That means that for now the Tamrazyan family – parents, their two daughters and son – are safe from Dutch immigration authorities..