Thieves stole purses from elderly women
POLICE want to track down three people after two women in their 80s had purses stolen while shopping.
Detectives have issued a CCTV appeal to find the thieves who later used the bank cards for spending and to withdraw cash.
The first victim, aged 83, was shopping at Asda in Southport when her purse, containing cash and cards, was stolen.
Within an hour and 15 minutes, a purse was taken from the second victim’s handbag, a woman in her 80s. That was taken from a trolley in Waitrose in Formby.
The first victim’s card was used as payment, while bank staff reported that a card stolen from the second victim was used to withdraw cash.
According to Merseyside police, the offenders were believed to be travelling in a VW Golf car.
CCTV images have now been shared of three people police say could assist with their inquiries.
Det Insp Jackie Guinness said: “We are determined to stop criminals preying on vulnerable people to steal from them and ask the community to take sensible precautions when they are out and about – be alert, take extra care to zip handbags, purses and pockets and make sure your purse is not on display or easily accessible, don’t write down PIN codes or keep them together with cash cards, and split up cash in different parts of your handbag.
“Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately and supermarket staff in Sefton have also been briefed to be extra vigilant.
“Together we can have a big impact on crime against elderly and vulnerable people and I would encourage people to report any offences, suspicious circumstances or other information on theft and crime against the elderly to local officers or via our other channels.”
Det Insp Guinness added: “If you recognise the three people pictured, please contact police as we believe they could have vital information that could assist our inquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via social media or by calling 101 and quoting incident reference 18400049202 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.