Remembrance Sunday raid on Chelsea veterans

Burglars broke into the Royal Hospital in Chelsea on Remembrance Sunday and made off with more than £5,000.

The raiders are believed to have smashed their way in late on Sunday night, hours after the Chelsea Pensioners had taken part in services, and stole the weekend's takings from the bar at the ex-soldiers' retirement home.

Pensioners and hospital staff were said to be "appalled" by the theft from a safe at the In-Pensioners' Club. Police are investigating.

Major-General Peter Currie, lieutenant governor of the Royal Hospital, said: "It's ghastly and it's particularly depressing coming at the end of the Remembrance weekend."

It is not the first time the Royal Hospital has been targeted on Remembrance weekend. Two years ago a man stole poppy collection boxes from the chapel.