Over the past 5 weeks 9 offences of predominately mobile phones thefts have occurred in hairdressers, estate agents and restaurants. The offenders have struck in Bury Town Centre and the surrounding area, Ramsbottom, Radcliffe, Sedgley Park and Prestwich and are described as two Asian/Eastern European males one with a gold tooth. They use a variety of distraction techniques with staff and customers in the guise of trying to sell something or asking them to look at a leaflet or asking for leaflets about services. They then steal items left on view in public areas such as counters, cash points and tables in restaurants. Gaynor Mason Crime Reduction Specialist said ‘it only takes seconds for a staff member or customer to be distracted and have their property stolen. The offenders are very slick at this particular method of stealing, so it is important to challenge anyone who seems suspicious. Don’t leave valuables unattended and keep small expensive electronic items out of sight.’ If someone comes into your shop who fits the description contact the police immediately. There have been a total of 26 offences across Bury, North Manchester and Salford in just a few weeks with similar descriptions, so it’s important that we catch these thieves and do as much as we can to deter them being successful in committing crime.
