Gangs of “purse dippers” are preying on elderly shoppers across Shropshire and the Midlands, stealing cash and even emptying bank accounts using stolen cards and pin numbers, police warned today.
In one case attempts were made in Oswestry to withdraw cash using a building society book that had been stolen from a pensioner in Dudley. But the suspects’ actions were caught on CCTV in Shropshire.
Now an image of the men - who are wanted in connection with a string of similar offences - has been released by police.
Police believe the latest crimes involve gangs from Eastern Europe and have taken place across a wide area, including Shrewsbury and Market Drayton.
The woman in Dudley, aged in her 80s, was targeted while browsing through birthday cards.
The victim had briefly put down her bag in Spencers indoor market and when she picked it up, she found £500 in cash and a building society book had been snatched.
The following day two men were caught on camera apparently trying to use the book in Oswestry.
Officers say the gang plunders victims’ savings, as they often find PIN numbers in purses alongside cash cards.
Sergeant Simon Holloway, from Dudley police station, said the pensioner was badly shaken.
“The victim had a large amount of cash stolen which she had only just withdrawn from the bank.
“She was very distressed and unfortunately she cannot give us a description as she did not see the offenders.”
He said the purse dippers tended to be Eastern Europeans “who prey on old ladies out shopping with their purse inside their bag”.
Advice from police is to keep your bag closed and close to you at all times, if possible with the opening towards your body:
- Close your purse and put it away before you leave the till and try not to overload yourself with bags and coats.
- Avoid carrying your wallet or purse in a back trouser pocket and keep cash secure and out of sight.
- Also, be discreet when using mobile phones and put them away as soon as you have finished using them.
By Suzanne Roberts and Debbie Knox
3 Comments
What the hell is going on!
Get me out of here.
Now an image of the men - who are wanted in connection with a string of similar offences - has been released by police.
SO WHERE ARE THESE PICTURES?
IF THE POLICE WANT OUR HELP, THEN IT COULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO LET US SEE THEM!
Couldn’t agree more Mike, no doubt we will be expected to trot off to the local copshops to view these pictures, far too easy to just publish them in the newspaper instead!