An elderly woman in her late 70s has fallen victim to what appears to be a coordinated theft while shopping on Eastgate Street in Gloucester. The incident has left her not only distressed but also facing a significant financial loss.

According to the victim’s report, she was shopping in several stores and visited a bank when she noticed a group of people lingering near her, engaging her in conversation. It wasn’t until later that she realized her purse had been stolen.

The theft is believed to have occurred between 1:40 PM and 2:10 PM BST. In a brazen follow-up act, the perpetrators used the victim’s bank card to withdraw £800 from a nearby cash machine, further compounding her distress.

Detective Inspector Jane Smith of Gloucester Police commented on the case, saying, “This type of crime targeting vulnerable members of our community is particularly troubling. We are urging the public to be vigilant and to come forward with any information that could help us identify the individuals responsible.

Despite the police’s ongoing investigation, which has included reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, they have yet to identify any suspects. To aid in progressing the investigation, police have now released images of the group believed to be involved in the theft.

We believe someone in our community may recognize these individuals or may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area at the time of the incident,” Inspector Smith added. Even the smallest piece of information could be crucial in solving this case and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident or who recognizes any of the individuals pictured is urged to contact Gloucestershire Police. Information can be submitted through an online form on the police website, quoting incident number 203 of June 15.

The public’s assistance is vital in solving this case and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.