A CROOK smashed his way into a collection box at a charity to Hull's war veterans and Blitz victims as staff helped visitors just a few metres away.
The thief struck on Tuesday at the Hull People's Memorial shop and museum in Whitefriargate. It is thought he escaped with up to £100 in donations made by members of the public.
The money is being raised to place a permanent memorial to more than 1,200 people who died during the Hull Blitz in the Second World War.
Memorial organiser Alan Brigham said: "Your first instinct is that you want to grab the guy who did this and teach him a lesson. This money is there to remember the people who died during the war, real heroes and victims."
Mr Brigham and other volunteers were in the rear of the shop when the criminal struck between 3pm and 3.30pm.
It is thought he had come armed with a screwdriver or jemmy as the lid to the clear charity collection box, containing notes and coins, was prized off its case before he reached in to grab the cash.
The museum has now replaced the collection box with a more secure container bolted to the floor.
Mr Brigham said: "What makes it so frustrating is that we were doing what we do, which is helping people find relatives of the wars. We were very busy with visitors, trying to help them find loved ones and then this happens."
The Hull People's Memorial shop and museum has been a huge success since being given a store by Trinity House in Whitefriargate several months ago.
It now attracts more than 100 visitors a day and has helped about 3,000 people from Hull and the region trace relatives who served in the First and Second World Wars.
As well as helping find relatives, it now also boasts dozens of exhibits from the wars, ranging from weapons to medals and uniforms, which it displays on site for free. It also has a replica of a First World war trench.
Alan said he hoped the theft did not discourage people from donating to the charity.
He said: "We rely on these donations to keep this project going. All the money will go to creating a permanent memorial to those who sacrificed their lives in Hull.
"It is a very good cause and one that people have been so generous to support."
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