KEY POINTS:
More than 6000 Anzac Day poppies have been stolen from an Auckland Returned and Services Association in a calculated theft that has disgusted war veterans, their volunteer supporters and police.
The thieves also took official collectors' badges, stickers and buckets, and the police and the RSA believe they will use the items to disguise themselves as legitimate collectors in today's Poppy Day appeal so they can steal donations.
The poppies were stolen from the outdoor bowls pavilion at the Takapuna RSA about 11.30pm on Sunday.
President Michael Murphy said the words he had for the "mongrels" who took the poppies were not printable.
He said it was "disgusting" that someone could attempt to make money out of the poppies, a symbol of the "men who fought and died for this country for freedom".
"The country is full of mongrels. To steal from a welfare fund ... What's their next move? The poor box at the church?
It shows how low society has sunk - this bloody tribal mentality we have towards private property."
Mr Murphy said the thieves knew what they were doing. They first moved a surveillance camera, and stole only the Anzac Day items.
More poppies had been sent from Christchurch to replace those stolen.
Stella Haines, president of the Takapuna RSA women's section, spent weeks with several other volunteers attaching to the poppies the pins that hold them to people's clothing.
"For every low-down thing that could have ever been done, this is the lowest I have ever heard [of]. It really is," Mrs Haines said. "You've got to be the lowest of the low to do something like this."
Senior Sergeant Rod Fraser said it was despicable and abhorrent that someone would steal money intended for the ex-servicemen. He urged anyone with information to call North Shore police on (09) 488-6200 or send a text in confidence to 027-2727-669.
COLLECTION TIPS
* How to tell if Anzac Day collectors are legitimate:
* They may wear their RSA or veteran's badge (although not all collectors are RSA members).
* Guides and Scouts wearing their uniforms are also involved in the collections.
BE WARY OF
* Anyone who is making door-to-door collections.
* Anyone who approaches you in an area where you haven't seen collectors before.
* People can also call into their local RSA to make donations.
