yetion1
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Police Warning Over Supermarket Distraction Thefts Saturday, 19 June, 2010
Police are urging shoppers to be on their guard after a spate of distraction thefts at supermarkets across West Yorkshire.
There have been six of the same type of distraction thefts at supermarkets across West Yorkshire since the 11 May and police believe the same gang could be involved in each of the incidents.
In each case a lone and middle aged woman has been targeted by a group of what are thought to be Eastern Europeans.
Unusually the group often includes a female suspect.
The distraction theft works after the suspects' identify a victim in the supermarket before loitering close to the checkout and making a note of the victim's pin number and bank/credit card. The suspects then follow the victim to their car and observe them as they unload their shopping.
At this point an accomplice will drive a car and park behind the victim's vehicle effectively blocking them in before getting out and asking the victim for directions to a place nearby, often using a map as a further method of distraction. While the victim is engaged with one of the suspects an accomplice will remove cards from the victim's purse which is often left on the passenger seat.
In most cases the victim does not realise the theft has taken place until they are contacted by their bank/credit card company to make them aware of unusual activity on their card.
The first reported case in West Yorkshire was on 11 May at the Tesco Extra store at Seacroft, Leeds. This was followed on the 18 May at Sainsbury's in the Colton Retail Park and at Morrisons in Wetherby on 25 May. The latest incident took place yesterday (17/6), also at the Sainsbury's store in Colton.
Other similar offences have also been reported in Knottingley and Heckmondwike.
Police believe the same vehicle has been used in each offence and this was captured on an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system on the M1 near to junction 47 at Parlington on the 18 May. The vehicle is a dark Cadbury type purple coloured old style Vauxhall Vectra. The registration plate is: WV51 AZF.
Sergeant Emmett, of the North East Leeds Neighbourhood Investigation Unit, said: "These suspects have a very specific method of targeting their victim's and it's about recognising the signs and responding accordingly to prevent yourself becoming one of their targets.
"Always be mindful of anyone close to you when you're entering your pin number. Use your body and hand to shield your pin and if you feel uncomfortable speak to the checkout operator and ask them to contact the stores security personnel.
"We are following a number of good leads in this investigation but I would ask anyone with information about the vehicle or about this series of distraction thefts to contact PC Ware at the Neighbourhood Investigation Unit based at Stainbeck Police Station via: 0845 60 60 606 or call Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on: 0800 555 111."
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