Wellington News

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Telford Police officers are investigating after a lady’s bank cards were stolen from her car in Arleston yesterday morning. The incident occurred on the car park at Tesco supermarket on Wrekin Retail Park on Sunday 7th March.

At around noon, a lady was loading her shopping into her car when she was approached by an unknown woman. The woman asked the lady for directions and stated that she was travelling from Liverpool to Corby.

The lady describes the unknown woman as being white, approximately 5ft 7inches tall and as speaking with a foreign accent. She is also described as having short blonde hair and as wearing a light beige jacket.

The unknown woman opened a map and leant on a another vehicle while the victim gave her directions and while the victim was distracted it appears that another person opened her car door and stole bank cards from in her handbag.

A police spokesman said: “Having given the unknown woman directions the victim returned to her car and made her home. It was not until this morning (8th March) that she discovered her bank cards were missing and, on then contacting her bank, it appears that her cards have been used at least three times following their theft and that several hundred pounds have been taken from her account.

“This is not the first incident of this kind that has been reported to police in Telford in recent times because incidents like this have also been reported in Dawley and Newport over the past few months, as well as in Arleston back in January. We are aware that incidents of this nature have also occurred elsewhere in West Mercia and in neighbouring force areas too.

“Police would like to take this opportunity to remind local people to be on their guard against this type of crime whenever they are out and about and ensure that personal belongings are kept safe and within sight.

“It only takes a split second for an opportunist thief to strike and therefore it is vital that people are aware of their personal security at all times and make it as difficult as possible for those individuals looking to commit crime.

“Anyone who believes they may have information about this theft, or who believes they may know the identity of the individuals responsible, is asked to call police in Telford on 0300 333 3000.

“Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have information you’d like to pass on without identifying yourself.”