Shoppers have been urged to safeguard their handbags and purses after criminals struck twice at supermarkets in Stone.
The offenders approached women in car parks and distracted them by asking for directions. The victims later discovered their purses were missing.
They struck first at Morrisons in Mill Street at around 6.20pm on Friday 14th October. A man approached the female shopper as she returned to her car and asked for directions to the hospital.
As she drove home the woman noticed her car passenger door wasn’t shut properly and then realised her purse was missing from her handbag.
On Saturday 15th October at around 4pm a woman was approached at Aldi in Stafford Road by a man who shouted over to ask for directions.
The man was sitting in the passenger seat of another car as he spoke to her. The woman returned to her car and, when unpacking her shopping at home, realised her purse and mobile phone had gone.
The offender, who may have been working with an accomplice, is described as Asian with dark hair, of medium build and spoke in broken English.
Insp Rob Pilling, from Stafford Borough Local Policing Team, said: “We’d warn shoppers to be on guard and to keep their valuables in their sight – or locked in their car glove box or boot – at all times.
“Anyone with information should ring us on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”
