Warning over bogus car breakdown conmen in Shropshire

A gang of conmen who flag down unsuspecting motorists and offer to sell jewellery for cash to buy fuel is at large in Shropshire, police warned today.

The men, who have struck at least 11 times in the area and surrounding counties in the last fortnight, offer to sell jewellery or watches or just ask straight out for money.

In each case, police said motorists have been flagged down by men from a supposedly broken-down car parked on the side of the road.

The men involved are described as being eastern European or of Mediterranean extraction and they are often seen with a dark BMW or silver saloon car.

They struck near the Travellers Rest Inn, Upper Affcot, Church Stretton, on Saturday and in Ditton Priors, Cleobury North, Bridgnorth, the same day.

Police said that since October 9 they had also targeted drivers in Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Acting Detective Sergeant Neil Lippitt, of West Mercia Police's Intelligence Bureau, said: "We have recently seen an increase in calls about these men selling jewellery at the roadside.

"In most incidents, motorists are flagged down and asked to buy jewellery in order for the seller to buy petrol to get home.

"The sellers can be persistent and persuasive and the jewellery is usually very cheap gold or polished metal and not worth the money paid.

"I would ask motorists to be vigilant on their travels and not to buy items."

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of this scam or who has seen the men or vehicles involved is asked to telephone West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000.