Cash And Bank Card Stolen In Redditch Distraction Theft

A woman had cash drawn from her account after her bank card was stolen in a distraction theft outside a Redditch supermarket.

Police are now appealing for witnesses and have issued a description of an offender following the incident in the car park at Tesco Extra in Coldfield Drive, Oakenshaw, which happened on Wednesday (23 November) between around 12.15pm and 12.35pm.

The victim had just returned to her car with her shopping and placed her handbag on the front passenger seat when she was beckoned by a man leaning on a vehicle with a map. He asked her to help him plan a route to Birmingham and insisted on her looking at his map.

It is believed that while she was distracted for a short time an accomplice took her debit card from her handbag which was left in the car. She discovered the card  missing soon afterwards when she went to pay for some petrol and on checking with her bank was informed that fraudulent withdrawals had been made in Redditch for a total of £350.

PC Dave Pengelly said: "We think the victim was targeted inside the store and followed through the tills where her PIN number was overlooked prior to the bank card being stolen."  

The offender who distracted the woman was white, around 5ft 10ins in height, and of medium build with short, dark hair. He was well groomed and wearing a grey suit, white shirt and black tie. He spoke with what was described as a strong Eastern European accent.  

During the summer West Mercia Police announced that Operation Ashton had been set up to give a co-ordinated approach to distraction-type thefts across the force area. Offenders, usually Eastern Europeans, typically target women on their own and asking victims for directions is one technique they use to steal possessions.

PC Pengelly added: "We are urging people to be vigilant and not to allow themselves to be distracted, leaving their property unattended. It is also a good idea to keep bags fastened to prevent criminals gaining easy access to the contents and to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

"Shoppers should also be aware of other people standing very close or brushing against them and they should be particularly careful when entering PIN numbers if there are other people around them."

Witnesses or anyone with information should call PC Pengelly on 0300 333 3000, quoting the reference 132-N-231111, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Issued: Friday, 25 November 2011