Five East Lancs businesses targeted by distraction thieves (From Blackburn Citizen)

Five East Lancs businesses targeted by distraction thieves

3:09pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News

BUSINESSES are being urged to be vigilant after five distraction thefts.

The first incident took place at Garays hairdressing shop on Wellgate, Clitheroe, just before 2pm on March 9.

Two women, believed to be Romanian, entered the shop and attempted to confuse staff by changing notes. They later found the tip box was missing.

Minutes later the same women are believed to have visited the Ooh la la hair and beauty salon on Wellgate where they have distracted the staff by booking a pedicure and removed an iPhone from the desk.

Just a short time later, police said the same two women went to the Inn at Whitewell and asked bar staff to change £20 notes.

One of the women has then reached over the counter and stolen an iPhone5 before leaving the hotel in a Ford Sierra Maroon, driven by a man.

They are described as being around 18 and 25 years old, both with straight black hair. One of the women was wearing a black jacket and black trousers and the other a black jacket and pink trousers.

In a similar incident, a man, woman and child have attempted to exchange notes at Smells pet store on Norfolk Street, Colne before stealing a wallet and mobile phone from behind the counter on March 10.

Two days later on March 12, two men have stolen a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone from the reception desk at Touch hair and beauty in Market Street in Colne.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.