Police

Police warn shoppers to be aware after distraction theft in town centre

Police are urging shoppers in Maidstone to be vigilant after a distraction theft in the town centre.

A suspect is reported to have used the distraction technique to steal a phone from a woman in a café.

The man approached the lady, whose mobile phone was on the table, and showed her some leaflets, placing them on the table.

When the man took the leaflets back and left, the woman noticed her phone was missing. The suspect was described as having a distinctive gold tooth.

Town centre Sergeant Nick Sparkes from Kent Police said: “The suspect appears to have placed the leaflets over the phone and then discreetly taken the phone as he left. Mobile phones are very valuable and thieves look to steal them and often try and sell them on.

“Police advice is to keep your phone in your handbag or pocket and to never leave it unattended or on show. Phones should also be protectively marked and logged on the ‘immobilise’ property logging website. My officers operate both in uniform and in plain clothes across the town centre to tackle this sort of crime and we regularly stage operations to target offenders.”