£1,000 stolen in Newport thefts spree
Around £1,000 was stolen during a spate of attempted thefts in Newport.
Three males were seen by stallholders on Saturday acting suspiciously in the town's market shortly before 1pm, where it was thought items had been taken from at least two stalls.
Police attended and three males were located and searched near the market building but nothing was found and they were released.
However later in the day, police received a call from a jewellers shop in the town to say they had disturbed three males in the store around lunchtime, two of whom had distracted staff while the third tried to steal a ring.
Police received a further call from another High Street shop on Monday, reporting three males had entered their store on Saturday.
It is believed the men had gone through to the staff area and taken money from an office and also cash from a staff member's handbag as well.
It is thought approximately £1,000 was stolen.
Constable Lee Thomas, Newport Safer Neighbourhood Officer said: "We would appeal to anyone who was on Newport High Street Saturday lunchtime and saw three males.
"All three are described as being in their late teens or early twenties, with tanned skin and possibly of eastern European origin.
"If anyone saw people matching this description who were acting suspiciously we would like them to come forward with any information they may have.
"We would also implore shop staff to report matters to the police when they happen so that we can respond accordingly.
"Unfortunately in this case, one of the incidents was not reported until hours after the event and the other two days later, so our opportunities to locate those involved are reduced dramatically.
"It's very likely all these incidents relate to the same three individuals, or at least members of a group working together, so we are hoping the public may have seen something that caught their attention, and they may have the missing pieces to this puzzle that we need."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or free and anonymously via the CrimeStoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
