Shrewsbury shoppers urged to stay vigilant after string of thefts

Officers were alerted to reports of three similar thefts in the town centre on Friday, May 10.

Similar incidents were reported in Droitwich, Evesham and Telford, and three people were later arrested in Telford on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and fraud.

A wallet, containing cash and credit cards, was taken from a customer's bag while he was in a cafe in the Market Hall, Shrewsbury.

One of the cards was was fraudulently used at a nearby wine merchant between 10am and 11am.

At around midday, a purse was taken from a shoppers' bag while she was in a lift with a man and a woman in the Pride Hill shopping centre.

The woman distracted her while the accomplice took the purse.

A brown leather purse was later taken from a shopping bag shortly after a card had been used to withdraw cash from an ATM at 3.58pm.

A fraudulent transaction was made at the same ATM at 4pm. It is believe the offender had watched the earlier transaction.

Officers are warning shoppers to remain vigilant and protect their pins while using cash machines.