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Police warning after spate of distraction thefts

BBC Two Wiltshire Police cars in reflective yellow stickers and the word POLICE in capitals on the bonnet. They are parked in a car park with other police vehicles.BBC
Wiltshire Police said criminals were mostly targeting elderly and disabled people

A police force is warning people to be careful with their possessions, following a series of distraction thefts in supermarket car parks.

Wiltshire Police said such thefts have taken place in Chippenham, Melksham and Devizes recently and mostly targeted elderly and disabled people.

In each case the victims were approached by someone posing as a charity worker, who distracted them and took money from them.

PC Mark Giles, from Wiltshire Police, said: "We are asking for people to be on their guard in supermarket car parks and report any suspicious behaviour to us."

He said: "The offenders seem to be targeting vulnerable customers, using disabled bays and then taking advantage of their good nature supporting charities to distract them."

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