IT is with utter disgust we learn that thieves chose a two-minute silence to ply their pathetic trade.

While towns and villages across the district stood still, two women stole perfume from a store in Frinton.

You can just picture the onlookers itching to intervene before remembering they are supposed to be statuesque.

The conscience wants to scream, shout and charge into action but the body just won’t do it.

By the time the two minutes is up, the women are long gone.

That is an unlikely scenario - but so is committing a crime during a moment of silent reflection, or so you’d hope.

Such disrespect for the sacrfices the millions of servicemen and women have made for our country is difficult to comprehend.

Can these lowlifes sink any deeper?

It is easy to over-hype the incident - it was a theft after all, a crime normally associated with drug addicts or people in simiarly wretched positions.

But it was obviously planned in advance - the women were described as well-dressed and carrying large bags.

The words “callous” and “soulless” spring to mind before any visions of desperation.

We repeat the appeal for anyone with information about the crime to get in touch with the police (0300 333 4444) or Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).

Thankfully for the most part across the district, the services on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day were observed magnificently.

Organisers talked of a growing support for our troops, owing to the ongoing deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There were a record number of wreaths laid, which is heartening when we consider the current economic downturn.

They also praised the number of youngsters who attended services, which is especially pleasing to see when we consider it will be up to them to keep the memory of war sacrifices alive in the future.

We thank the plethora of services organisations for organising the events and for the vast majority of residents who bought a poppy or stood in reflective silence.

It makes us proud to be part of this district.

And if there is any justice, the two scumbags responsible for tarnishing the occasions will be caught.