POLICE are warning shoppers to be aware of distraction thefts in supermarkets following a spate of reports recently.
Incidents of distraction theft have been reported in Chippenham and Melksham so far and include the car parks at Sainsbury's and Waitrose supermarkets. Vulnerable customers seem to be the main target, with the thieves approaching customers parked in disabled bays.
On each occasion, victims were approached by someone asking for a charity donation. When the victim is in the process of passing money, the bogus charity collector distracts them with a clipboard and takes as much money as they can get.
PC Mark Giles said: "We are asking for people to be on their guard in supermarket car parks and report any suspicious behaviour to us.
"The offenders seem to be targeting vulnerable customers, using disabled bays and then taking advantage of their good nature supporting charities to distract them."
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