Current timestamp: 28/05/2022 06:06:12
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

Police urge caution for Rolex owners after series of distraction thefts

Main article content

Navigation

News

09:28 12/11/2021

Surrey Police are warning Rolex owners to take care of their watches as thieves posing as charity workers target the west of the county.

Since July 2021, Surrey Police have received eight reports of thefts of high-value watches. Most of these offences took place in the west of the county. In each case, the suspect used distraction techniques to slip the watch from the victims’ wrists.

In some cases, the victim was asked for the time, then followed to a quieter location where there was likely to be a lack of CCTV cameras before the suspect targeted them again and stole their watch. Victims have also been approached in supermarket car parks and even at a golf club.

The suspects for the cases reported so far have been women posing as charity workers. In one incident they approached the victim with a clipboard with the NHS logo on and asked them to sign a petition. We would urge caution when approached by anyone claiming to be a charity worker until you can verify their identity.

We are aware of multiple reports of similar offences taking place across Hampshire and Dorset and it is possible that the incidents reported in Surrey are part of a national series being committed by an organised crime group.

T/DCI Dave Bentley said, “We want to raise public awareness of this emerging crime type in our community.

“Criminals are targeting preying upon the good nature of their victims and using distraction techniques to slip the watch right off their wrist. These watches are often of significant financial and sentimental value.

We are aware of similar offences reported to other police forces over the past few months, and it is possible that the same suspects are responsible for the thefts we are seeing now in West Surrey. We are hard at work trying to identify the suspects, but we ask you to be vigilant while we continue our investigation.

The best form of prevention is awareness, so please pay attention to your surroundings when out in public. If you have concerns that someone is falsely representing themselves as a charity worker, ask them for identification. If they cannot provide any or cannot verify who they are, call 101 and raise your concerns with us.”

Time to protect your watch from theft:

  • Cover your watch with your shirt, jacket, or coat sleeves when out in public
  • Pay attention to your surroundings. Who might be watching or following you?
  • Not every thief needs to use force to steal from you. Keep your distance from strangers
  • Genuine charity workers won’t mind you verifying their identity before signing petitions or donating money
  • Record lost or stolen watches on Watch Register, a UK-based database that record details of lost or stolen watches: https://www.thewatchregister.com/

 

If you have any information that could assist our investigations, please contact us quoting crime reference number PR/45210101259 via:

  • Webchat on our website police.uk
  • Reporting to us online https://www.surrey.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
  • Calling us on 101

If you do not wish to leave your name, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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.