Handbag dipper warning after woman targeted

By Ben Fitzgerald - 15 November 2019

Crime

Police are appealing for the public's help in identifying two people wanted in connection with thefts in Wiltshire.

The incident happened while the victim was shopping in Aldi, Hobley Drive, Swindon, on 11 November, around 9.50am. A male and female waited for the victim to become distracted before taking her purse containing bank cards, cash, gift cards and other personal items.

CCTV images released show the man and the woman taking the victim's purse, and its contents, before further images show him attempting to withdraw cash from a machine in Aldi, Abbey Meads, later that morning. 

Further footage from the Abbey Meads store also show the same pair watching another elderly shopper before leaving empty-handed. We also believe they are responsible for an attempted theft of a purse at an Aldi store, in Melksham, in September.

PC Pedro Wiltshire, from Swindon North Community Policing Team, said: "CCTV from the store shows the pair deliberately targeted the victim, reaching into her bag and stealing the purse, while she was shopping. 

"We would like to warn all shoppers to be extra careful and be aware that handbag dippers have been successfully operating in the area.

"Please make sure your handbag is secure and your purse is in a zipped-up compartment, keeping it either on you or in your sight at all time. Handbag dippers are opportunists so make it difficult for them!"

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote crime reference 54190111928.  

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