Distraction thieves strike again

Two children went into Webb’s Garden and Home Store in the High Street at around 4.15pm on Monday.

As the pair distracted the cashier at the back of the shop, a man walked in, opened the till and fled with an amount of cash.

It is not yet clear how much money was stolen.

The man is described as 5ft7 tall, of medium to stocky build, with a tanned complexion, aged around 35 years old, and he spoke with a London accent.

Police are linking the theft to a similar incident at COOK in Battle on July 22.

At around 5.30pm a man entered the shop in Mount Street and distracted the sales assistant before grabbing £400 from the till and fleeing.

Police say the two offences could also be linked to other distraction thefts in Sussex.

PC Jayne Cleverley, of Battle’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, warned traders: “Do not leave your tills unattended and do not be distracted.”

Neither COOK or Webb’s are members of Battle’s Shop Watch scheme.

All members of the scheme are connected via radio, which is also linked to Battle police.

If any trader spots anyone or anything suspicious, details can be passed on to others on the scheme and police in moments.

Both the stores were also targeted by thieves during a spate of burglaries in the town earlier in the summer.

On June 8, intruders stole several items of stock from Webb’s in an overnight raid and on June 28, thieves broke into COOK and stole £200 in cash.

Anyone with any information about the distraction thefts, or anyone interested in joining Battle’s Shop Watch scheme, should contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999.