Wiltshire Police have issued a stern warning following a spate of distraction thefts occurring in supermarket car parks in Chippenham and Melksham. Thieves are targeting shoppers, particularly those parked in disabled bays, by using charity donation scams to steal cash.
The criminals operate at major supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. They approach shoppers asking for donations to charity. When victims reach for their wallets, the thief distracts them further by showing a clipboard, then quickly pockets as much cash as possible.
PC Mark Giles of Wiltshire Police urged the public to remain vigilant. He 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 taking advantage of their good nature.”
Shoppers are advised to stay alert when approached in car parks, especially near disabled parking bays. It is important not to hand over money without verifying the legitimacy of any charity request. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Additional support services include the textphone service on 999 or 18000 (if pre-registered), and emergency contact via 999 BSL with a British Sign Language interpreter if required.
Originally published by UKNIP.
