Current timestamp: 25/05/2022 10:54:52
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

SOH-Crest-Varied sizes large

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Rise in thefts at supermarket car parks

Main article content

Navigation

News

13:35 05/02/2021

We are urging people to be on their guard following an increase in distraction thefts involving expensive watches over the last few weeks.

A number of thefts and robberies have taken place in supermarket car parks across the county, with fraudsters targeting elderly people and pretending they are collecting for charity, asking them to sign a petition or asking for sponsorship. Other approaches have included saying something is wrong with their car. On a number of occasions, the thieves have grabbed their victims or tried to hug or kiss them.

Thieves have got away with cash, jewellery and it appears that they have also been deliberately targeting people wearing Rolex or expensive watches, sometimes stealing these without the victim’s immediate knowledge.

Investigating officer Elloise Pepperrell said: “We have seen an increase in these types of incidents over the last few weeks which have been taking place in supermarket car parks and outside shops across Surrey, with offences reported in West Byfleet, Farnham, Dorking, Lightwater and Cobham. The thieves are deliberately targeting elderly people, as well as those wearing expensive jewellery and watches.     

"These incidents are extremely distressing for the victims, not least of which is that many of them involve physical contact at a time when we are supposed to be observing social distancing guidelines. On some occasions, force has also been used, with the victims being grabbed.

"Offences have also taken place across Sussex and Thames Valley and we are actively working with our colleagues in these force areas to identify the offenders responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.

"We are urging people to remain on their guard at all times and to not get involved in conversations with people they don’t know. 
If you believe you have been the victim of a similar offence and you have any information which could assist our enquiries, we would ask you to get in touch with us as soon as possible”.

Anyone with information that they believe could assist the investigation is asked to contact us by using the live chat function on the Surrey Police website (surrey.police.uk) or through a direct message on Facebook or Twitter which will put you in direct contact with a call handler, quoting reference number PR/45210008882. Alternatively, if you do not wish to leave your name, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A number of arrests have been made in connection with these offences, including:
A 25-year-old woman of no fixed address (released on conditional bail);
A 34-year-old woman from Slough (released on conditional bail);
A 27-year-old man of no fixed address (released on conditional bail).

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Surrey Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • About us
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police
  • Police & Crime Commissioner

Follow us on

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.