The theft of a Royal British Legion collection tin just an hour after the nation observed a two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday, has been described as "a complete lapse of humanity". 

The theft happened inside The Obelisk, in Old Church Road, Chingford, on Remembrance Sunday.

Staff were alerted by a cutomer who noticed the tin missing at around midday and realised two women who had just left had taken it.

Assistant manager Alex Jameson, 22, and bartender Sean Vencatachellun, 28, who served the women, immediately searched the surrounding area, but they had disappeared.

They then checked CCTV and watched the theft take place.

Mr Jameson said: "Two women came in and stood by the middle till.

"They asked Sean for a coffee and a coke. One of the women then took a menu and put it in front of the poppy tin. 

"As Sean bent down behind the bar, it was stuffed inside their bag and then they left."  

Mr Jameson added that the atmosphere in the pub then "completely changed and everyone was fuming."

"I think it was a complete lapse of humanity. You would really need to be in a desperate situation to resort to those tactics just to get money," he said.

"It happened an hour after the two minutes silence. The vibe completely changed." 

Police have described the women as white, in their 40s, with an eastern European accent.   

Community fundraiser Sharon Bonner, of the Royal British Legion, said: "We're very disappointed, especially this year.

"It is very upsetting for this to happen when so many people have put in so much for effort for such an important cause. 

Last year's poppy appeal by the Chingford RBL raised more than £40,000.