Beware of distraction thieves say police

Officers are warning the public to be alert to ‘distraction’ type thefts following several incidents where bank cards have been stolen from women in supermarket car parks.

One woman was approached by an eastern european looking woman as she walked to her vehicle after using the self service till in Sainsburys at Shires Retail Park, Leamington Spa at 11.05am on Friday 30 September.

The woman pulled out a map and lay it out flat on the car next to hers and asked her for directions to Hereford. The woman obliged and felt that she was asked a lot of silly questions.

Now she believes she was deliberately distracted so that her credit card could be stolen. She cancelled her card but has been informed by her bank that the card was used on four occasions to steal cash and goods worth over £1000.

A similar incident happened at Tescos in Birmingham Road, Stratford upon Avon at around 11.30am on 5 October.

A woman was in the car park at Tescos in Stratford upon Avon when she was approached by a female with a map who asked her if she could give directions to Rutland.

While she was looking at the map, an unknown offender has got into the passenger side of her silver Toyota Rav 4 and stolen her debit and credit card.

She did not see the offender but describes the woman she spoke to as dark skinned, possibly Eastern European, early to mid 30’s with short dark hair in a style similar to a bob.

The woman was parked near to the central walkway on the Maybird side near the disabled parking when the incident occured.

Officers are checking CCTV footage of both incidents and appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 01926 415000.

PC 262 Dave Valente of Warwickshire Police said “This isn’t the only method that may be used to distract you. A woman also had a bank card stolen from her car as she was struggling to put air into the tyres of her Citroen C2 and a male came to help her. “

“Distraction thieves just need to distract you for a few moments so they or an accomplice can steal from your pockets, handbag or car.”

PC Valente is offering the following advice: