Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate a distraction theft in Poole.
The victim, a man aged in his 70s, was outside an address in Cliff Drive at around 2.40pm on Saturday 16 October 2021 when he was approached by two women. They were asking about the name of the property, gave him a pencil and paper to write it down and were affectionate towards him. He tried to push them off and as the women left the man realised the Rolex watch he had been wearing on his wrist was gone.
One of the women was described as being aged in her 40s and the other in her 20s, they were believed to be Romanian and were wearing face masks.
This incident follows a series of robberies and distraction thefts where Rolex watches have been stolen in recent months, in Dorset and elsewhere in the country.
Detective Sergeant Karen Penn, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “We are carrying out a number of enquiries into this latest incident and I would urge anyone with information that might assist our investigation to please come forward.
“I am particularly keen to hear from any residents in the vicinity with home CCTV systems, or passing motorists with dashcams, who may have captured any relevant footage.
“Our investigation into the wider series is also ongoing and we would continue to urge people to remain vigilant if they are wearing expensive watches or items of jewellery, particularly if they are approached in this manner.
“Many of the victims are elderly and we would urge people with older relatives to discuss this with them and make them aware of this kind of offending that is taking place.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210167133. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call freephone 0800 555 111.
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