THIEVES preyed on a pensioner outside a Cheltenham supermarket, causing a diversion before snatching her debit card and stealing £5,000.
Police have issued a warning after the 67-year-old was duped by a man and woman working in tandem outside Waitrose, in Honeybourne Way.
It has raised fears criminal gangs may be operating in the town after a string of incidents bearing similar hallmarks.
PC Annabel Brittain urged shoppers to be on their guard, saying: "Groups of offenders are taking advantage of nice people's good nature, one of them stealing from them as another distracts them. For example, they might pretend they need help with directions or change.
"I would urge people not to be distracted from their valuables for a second and to always guard their pin number with their hand.
"Offenders don't have to be standing over your shoulder to see your number and have access to your hard-earned money."
In the most recent incident, the victim was approached by a woman who asked her about hospital treatment and directions to Birmingham – leading her to another car and taking out a map.
While she was distracted, a male accomplice crept into the woman's car and took her debit card.
Offenders then used the pin number, which police believe was spied at the checkout, withdrawing £5,000.
The woman who distracted the victim was stocky, 5ft 3ins tall, in her late 20s or early 30s, with long black hair and a foreign accent. She appeared to be receiving messages from an accomplice via a hands-free device.
The incident happened at lunchtime on June 8 and is one of a string of similar cases in the town.
Last month, Jean Walker, 81, from Warden Hill, was targeted as she left Morrisons in Hatherley.
Anyone with any information should call police on 101, quoting incident 39 of June 11.
OPINION, P8
