A woman wearing a headscarf was caught on video stealing a Poppy Appeal tin on Remembrance Sunday in Wiltshire - before a second tin was stolen by a similarly dressed woman from another shop a few miles away.

Police are investigating the first theft at a newsagent, which has been branded 'disgusting' and condemned by the British Legion, but it is not known if the two thefts are linked.

In CCTV video footage obtained by MailOnline of the second theft which occurred in Wiltshire, one woman pounces and takes the Royal British Legion fundraising jar while another woman distracts staff at the Spar store in Ludgershall.

In the first theft that occurred one hour beforehand and only five miles away, at McColls convenience store in Andover, Hampshire, an unidentified thief also in a headscarf calmly waits for her moment and then grabs the charity tin and escapes with it.

The women are still at large and a police investigation is underway to apprehend the offenders.

There may have been more thefts in the area that day, according to local reports.

The footage was posted on Facebook by members of staff and instantly went viral with thousands of people sharing video of the crimes.

The first theft occurred at 11.45am in McColls in Andover, Hampshire and the second theft was recorded just more than one hour later at 1pm in the Spar in Ludgershall, Wiltshire.

Spar manager Susan Connolly said: 'It's absolutely shocking that someone could do this.

'It's just completely disgusting to steal the Poppy Appeal tin on Remembrance Sunday.

'One distracted the girl behind the counter while the other just swept it under her dress. 'After I posted the video, it went mad, its had over 100,000 views.'

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion, Tristan Nichols, said: 'We are greatly disturbed to hear of the theft of poppy collecting tins.

'This loss will deprive those in the Service and ex-Service community and their families of much needed assistance and support from the Legion.'

Angry: Susan Connolly, manager at Spar in Ludgershall, Wiltshire said: 'it's disgusting to steal the Poppy Appeal tin on Remembrance Sunday'

Stealing from charity: The women in this video stole a poppy tin while staff were distracted in a Spar store in Wiltshire

Working as a team: One woman distracted staff, while her accomplice swiped the charity tin

Speaking after the incident at McColls store in Andover, Inspector Paul Markham, of Hampshire Police said: 'This is a disgraceful incident where, on Remembrance Sunday, a Poppy Appeal collection box has been stolen.

'This is extremely disrespectful to those who have given so much for our country. I would urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible to help us identify those responsible.'

The matter is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44170440589.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said the force had not received a report in relation to the theft but they have tasked officers from the Community Policing Team to investigate the matter further.

They said that anyone with information on the theft at Spar in Ludgershall should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Scene of the crime: The McColls convenience store in Andover, Wiltshire

CCTV caught a woman stealthily steal a poppy appeal appeal tin from this shop in Wiltshire on Remembrance Sunday too as the images below illustrate

Caught on camera: A woman, whose identity is not currently known, was filmed on CCTV as she picked up a poppy appeal jar in the Mccolls in Andover, Hampshire, and put it under her clothes before walking out

Inspector Paul Markham, of Hampshire Police said: 'This is a disgraceful incident where, on Remembrance Sunday, a Poppy Appeal collection box has been stolen

The thefts came on the day that Britain remembers her fallen soldiers.

And the stolen Poppy Appeal jars were collecting funds for those soldiers killed and injured in conflict and for their families left behind.

While the thefts were taking place in Hampshire, the Prince of Wales was leading the nation in honouring the country's war dead, taking over the duty for the first time from his mother Queen Elizabeth who has performed the public role for more than 60 years.

The Queen, 91, observed the service from a nearby balcony with her 96-year-old husband Prince Philip.

Buckingham Palace announced the change last month, which is seen as an example of the shift of head of state duties from the Queen to her heir after 65 years on the throne.

The Prince of Wales was leading the nation in honouring the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday, taking over the duty for the first time from his mother Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth has performed the duty for more than 60 years but she asked Charles to help her this year and she sat on a balcony watching the proceedings with her husband

(L-R) Britain's Prince Harry and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge as they lay wreaths during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Britain

A two-minute silence began at 11am, signalled by Big Ben, which chimed for the first time in months as the clock tower undergoes restoration work. The silence was broken only by a bugler playing 'The Last Post.'

Wreaths were then laid at the foot of the Whitehall memorial by senior royals and political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

People expressed outrage on Facebook at the thefts.

Jen Berrisford wrote: 'Of all the days to not show respect....Pure disgust.'

Daz Walker Smiley wrote: 'There's too many of these being robbed when the money goes to charity. It's a disgrace to the fallen heroes who gave us our freedom.'

Elizabeth Rowson New wrote: 'Disgusting how can anyone steal from a charity?'

Lindsay Laura Jenkins wrote: 'I really can't believe that.... hope she is found.'

And Joanne Targett wrote: 'That is absolutely terrible. Shameful.'