Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after two distraction thefts from vehicles outside shops in Milton Keynes.

The first offence happened on Saturday (25/7) at about 11.30am at Winchester Circle, Kingston. The victim, a 67-year-old woman, had just finished loading her shopping into her car when she was approached by a man asking her for directions. Her handbag was on the front passenger seat of the car and she later realised the contents had been stolen.

Then second incident happened on Monday (27/7) outside Safeway in Barnsdale Drive, Westcroft, at about 3.20pm. The victim, a 60-year-old woman, was approached by two men who started chatting to her. When she got into her vehicle she noticed her handbag had been stolen from the front passenger seat of her car.

The offenders are both white, aged in their mid thirties to early forties. They spoke in broken English and are possibly Eastern European.

Det Ch Insp Simon Eatwell, Crime Manager, said: “These are quite unusual incidents and have happened within a few days of each other. We would advise people to take extra care when out shopping and to lock the doors once inside the car. If you are approached by someone wanting directions stay in the car and lower the window.”

If you have any information about these thefts please contact Milton Keynes Police station via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to speak to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.