West Mercia Police are issuing a warning to residents following a spate of distraction thefts across the force area.

Some of these offences have occurred in Herefordshire. The victims have been followed around supermarkets or to ATM machines where they have been watched as they enter their pin numbers.

They have then been followed into car parks or to their home addresses where the offenders have produced a piece of paper and a pen and have asked for a route to be written down or marked out.

While the victims were distracted they then had their bank cards stolen and these have been used across the country to make large purchases.

Thieves implemented this technique last week in Ross-on-Wye, and targeted a woman outside Morrisons Supermarket on Wednesday, October 14th.

The woman was stopped in the carpark of Morrisons supermarket and asked directions to somewhere in Wales. Whilst she was looking at the map, an accomplice entered her vehicle and stole her bank cards. It wasn’t until she received a phone call from her bank of possible fraudulent use that she was alerted to the theft.

It is believed the offenders had been next to her at the till point and watched her enter her pin before using a distraction technique to steal the bank card. If you have any information about this incident, please call 101 and quote the incident reference number: 449-S-141015.

Detective Constable Steve Davies, of Shrewsbury CID, urged communities to be on their guard.

He said: "Genuine people will not pressurise you into giving them directions. If you are approached and made to feel flustered or uncomfortable please alert people around you and then contact the police.

"I would also urge retail staff to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. If you believe someone is being followed or approached by someone then please contact the police."