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http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.503848
Bulgarian pickpocket gang back to target Cumbrian shops
By Safira Ali
Last updated 12:16 , Saturday, 24 January 2009
A gang of Bulgarian pickpockets wanted in connection with 50 purse snatches before Christmas is believed to have struck again in Cumbria .
Police have renewed pleas for shoppers to be on-guard against thieves after people in Workington, Whitehaven and Keswick were targeted during a spate of thefts over the past few days.
Police suspect the culprits are part of a Bulgarian gang operating from London who are wanted elsewhere.
They are now handing out more alarm bells – similar to those put on cat collars – so people can be alerted to the fact a thief is trying to steal a purse from their bag.
Detective Constable Cath Thorpe said: “We believe it is a gang from London hitting different parts of the UK .
“They have hit other places, including Lancaster .
“We believe one of the cards they stole was used later in Sunderland . The thieves only stay in the area for a couple of hours and then move on.
“Five thousand bells were handed out before Christmas. We will be handing out more if there are more thefts.
“We are warning people to keep an eye out and make sure that they don’t carry a lot of cash with them and don’t leave their purses visible. Use clips to fasten your purse to your handbag, don’t leave your purses visible.
“And keep the zips on handbags at the front so you can see if anyone tries to open it. If they become aware of any thefts they should cancel any bank cards straight away.
“They are usually targeting low budget stores and elderly women. Anyone who sees anything suspicious should contact the police.
“We are reviewing CCTV footage. We believe they are part of the same gang that were operating before Christmas.”
In recent days, there have been three thefts in Workington, three in Whitehaven and one in Keswick on Thursday.
DC Thorpe said that during the thefts, two women would typically enter a shop while one distracts a customer and the other steals the purse.
She added that they would sometimes work separately in different shops while a male waits in a car outside.
The thefts started in Keswick on October 3 and spread to Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport and Wigton.
Officers are working with police forces in Derbyshire, South Wales , Lancaster and West Mercia .
The bells are being offered free to women who buy purses or handbags from shops.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 33 00 247.
SAli@cngroup.co.uk
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.503848
Bulgarian pickpocket gang back to target Cumbrian shops
By Safira Ali
Last updated 12:16 , Saturday, 24 January 2009
A gang of Bulgarian pickpockets wanted in connection with 50 purse snatches before Christmas is believed to have struck again in Cumbria .
Police have renewed pleas for shoppers to be on-guard against thieves after people in Workington, Whitehaven and Keswick were targeted during a spate of thefts over the past few days.
Police suspect the culprits are part of a Bulgarian gang operating from London who are wanted elsewhere.
They are now handing out more alarm bells – similar to those put on cat collars – so people can be alerted to the fact a thief is trying to steal a purse from their bag.
Detective Constable Cath Thorpe said: “We believe it is a gang from London hitting different parts of the UK .
“They have hit other places, including Lancaster .
“We believe one of the cards they stole was used later in Sunderland . The thieves only stay in the area for a couple of hours and then move on.
“Five thousand bells were handed out before Christmas. We will be handing out more if there are more thefts.
“We are warning people to keep an eye out and make sure that they don’t carry a lot of cash with them and don’t leave their purses visible. Use clips to fasten your purse to your handbag, don’t leave your purses visible.
“And keep the zips on handbags at the front so you can see if anyone tries to open it. If they become aware of any thefts they should cancel any bank cards straight away.
“They are usually targeting low budget stores and elderly women. Anyone who sees anything suspicious should contact the police.
“We are reviewing CCTV footage. We believe they are part of the same gang that were operating before Christmas.”
In recent days, there have been three thefts in Workington, three in Whitehaven and one in Keswick on Thursday.
DC Thorpe said that during the thefts, two women would typically enter a shop while one distracts a customer and the other steals the purse.
She added that they would sometimes work separately in different shops while a male waits in a car outside.
The thefts started in Keswick on October 3 and spread to Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport and Wigton.
Officers are working with police forces in Derbyshire, South Wales , Lancaster and West Mercia .
The bells are being offered free to women who buy purses or handbags from shops.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 33 00 247.
SAli@cngroup.co.uk