West Mercia Police is continuing to urge people to be vigilant following a spate of distraction thefts.

A number of reports of distraction thefts are being investigated throughout West Mercia policing areas, where offenders have observed victims’ pin numbers being entered into cash machines or chip-and-pin machines, and then distracted victims in order to steal their bank cards.

Last year, the Ross Gazette received several reports from Ross-on-Wye residents that they had had their bank cards stolen after shopping in a local supermarket; often they had been stopped in the car park, and approached by a stranger, in some cases they were asking for directions, in others, they had lost a pet. The victims later found that their bank cards had been removed from their purse or wallet.

Please warn any friends or relatives to remain vigilant, and to look out for elderly shoppers when they are in supermarkets and car parks, as they are especially vulnerable to this crime. When in a shopping queue look out for ’shoulder surfing’ by offenders attempting to view PIN numbers being entered.

Detective Sergeant Wayne White said: "We are currently investigating a number of reports of distraction thefts of this nature, where elderly victims are being targeted. We are asking the public to remain vigilant and to ensure PIN numbers are entered securely. If anyone has witnessed any suspicious behaviour or has any information on distraction theft offences, please call police on 101."

Shoppers are urged to be vigilant and to ensure their PIN numbers are covered when using a checkout or cash point. You can find further crime prevention advice here: https://westmercia.police.uk/Personal.

If anyone has any information on these offences or believes they have been a victim of a distraction theft, please call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org