All four incidents have involved lone woman loading their shopping into their cars. They have been approached by a man, who pulls up in a car and asks for directions, using a map.
While the victim is being distracted, another person enters the victim’s car and removes their handbag or their purse, from their handbags, which has been left on the front passenger seat.
The first offence took place on Saturday (25/7) at Winchester Circle, Kingston around 11.30am after the victim had finished loading her shopping and the second offence took place on Monday 27 July, around 3.20pm in Morrisons car park, Westcroft. The two other incidents took place at Kingston District car park, the first on Saturday 1 August between 10am and 10.45am and the second yesterday (5/8) between 3.10pm and 3.40pm.
The offender who distracts the victim, asking for directions, is a man, in his mid-twenties and believed to be Eastern European.
Det Con Wendy Cissell, investigating, said: “I urge all women who are loading their vehicles with their shopping to keep their handbags on them at all times. Do not place your handbag in your vehicle while you are loading your shopping to prevent anyone from taking your belongings.
“If anyone sees anyone acting suspiciously, partially in shop car parks, or has any information relating to the incident I urge you to contact the police or Crimestoppers.”
Det Con Cissell can be contacted at Milton Keynes police station via the 24-hours Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to talk to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
