NHW NW Suspicious incidents and theft of money from Coleshill residents in Sumner Road & Coleshill Library carpark, Coleshill


This message is sent on behalf of PCSO Jane Owen of Coleshill Police:

Please be aware of the following incidents of suspicious behaviour in Coleshill over recent days.

At approximately 11.30am on Thursday, 25th January, 2012, an elderly female was approached by a white male as she was about to enter her home in Sumner Road, Coleshill. He asked her for fifty pence to make a phone call and when she replied that she had no change he became more persistant. She then told him she would ask her son who was in the house at which point the male turned around and disappeared rapidly.

The male is described as, approx. 5' 11' tall, in his forties, black hair, fairly respectable looking, wearing blue jeans and a black jacket. Informant was unable to distinguish if the male had an accent. ( Incident 103 of 26/01/2012 refers).

At approximately 11.45am on Saturday, 28th January, 2012, a couple were approached on the car park of Coleshill Library by an eastern european male who requested change for a £2 coin. The informant offered some loose change to the male who said 'No, smaller'. The informant's wife then removed her purse from her bag to check for change at which point the male reached into the purse and withdrew 20p. A short while later they noticed that 2 x £20 notes were missing from the purse. It is believed that the male took the cash while the IP and the Informant were distracted.
The offender is described as an Eastern European male, approx. 5' 10'' tall, smartly dressed. He had an accent and spoke 'poor English'. No other details available. (Incident 128 of 28/01/2012 refers).

Please be alert and on your guard if you are approached by strangers in the street or in a public place as you may be about to become the victim of a distraction theft.

IPolice believe that these two incidents may be connected. If you are approached by contact Police on 101 and report what has happened and give a description of the offender and, if possible, details of any vehicle they may be using. Thankyou

Julie Dale
Watch Co-ordinator
Community Protection