Police warn supermarket shoppers to be on their guard against thieves

Nearly £7,000 has been stolen from supermarket customers across the Sussex Express area by a gang targeting PIN numbers.
Two of the suspectsTwo of the suspects
Two of the suspects

Now police have issued a warning to shoppers to be on the alert for the thieves.

It follows a recent spate of incidents in which supermarket customers, and some other shoppers, have been watched whilst entering their PIN numbers and have then had their purses and wallets stolen as they leave the store. Suspects then withdraw large amounts of cash from nearby cash machines before the victims are aware.

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Police have issued a CCTV image of two men who, working with others, are believed to have been successful in obtaining nearly £20,000 countywide by targeting victims in this way. Since November last year there have been 22 such reports in Sussex.

The men in the photograph, taken at Sainsburys in Worthing on June 20 June, are described as of Eastern European appearance, one bald and the other with dark hair.

Anyone who recognises the men or who has any further information is asked to contact Sussex Police online or call 101, quoting reference 47170066290.

If you see anyone behaving suspiciously in this way, alert store security staff or dial 999.

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Investigator Kayleigh Bartup said: “We are also working with the large supermarket brands to raise awareness about these incidents among staff and customers. Be alert and aware of strangers when shopping in large supermarkets and NEVER leave your bag or trolley unattended at any point. Try not to be distracted by strangers, and also be alert for any suspicious activity around your vehicle which you should keep secured.

“It appears that these men, and others, may strike up to twice a day in different towns, and then lay low for a while, so we need to maintain awareness even when there are no reports.”

Locally, incidents have taken place at Tesco in Lewes on November 19 2016 – £1,360 obtained; Waitrose in Crowborough on January 19 – £900; Waitrose in Lewes on March 2 – £1,000; Morrison’s in Seaford on March 7 – £1,800; Morrison’s in Seaford on March 11 – £1,100; Waitrose in Hailsham on May 26 – £630; Waitrose in Crowborough on June 10 – £50.