Warning over foreign pickpocket threat

Jul 17 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

FOREIGN pickpockets have robbed a partially blind OAP for the second time in 12 months.

The 84-year-old, from Eddlewood, had her pension money stolen as she was shopping in Marks and Spencer’s Hamilton store last week.

And in mid-2007, as she was buying groceries in the town’s Asda store, thieves dipped her bag and escaped with her purse.

Her only son, Hugh Murphy, who lives in the Hamilton area, said the experience had dented her confidence.

Police say the latest theft was one of a growing number of pickpocket-type incidents in Hamilton town centre and have warned shoppers to be on their guard.

Mr Murphy said: “The incident in ASDA happened on July 20 of last year when a man with a foreign accent asked her where to find certain goods.

“She tried to help but while she was doing that someone got into her bag that was in the trolley. They took her purse and zipped the bag up again.”

Her purse, containing £30 plus her bus pass and bank card, was never recovered.

Mr Murphy said the second incident, between 10 am and 11am in Marks and Spencer’s on Friday, followed a similar pattern.

“She had her handbag over her arm and was approached by someone who asked her advice on foodstuffs,” he added.

“She was on alert after what happened last year and told the guy to leave her alone.

“She moved to another aisle but the man approached her again and this time he was with a boy and a woman.

“They surrounded my mum and we believe the woman came from behind and took the purse out of her handbag.”

The OAP, who worked as a domestic at the former Hietonbank Nursing Home in Carlisle Road, Hamilton, was robbed of £130 cash and bank card.

Mr Murphy described those responsible as cowards and said that in the second incident the thieves also had foreign accents.

He was full of praise for staff at both stores for the way they helped his mother after the thefts.

ASDA did not ask for payment for the groceries she had chosen.

Marks and Spencer staff had a collection for the OAP and a man shopping in the store donated £20.

Marks also contacted the woman’s bank and arranged transport home.

Constable Kirsty McKinlay of Hamilton Police confirmed that there had been a spate of incidents in which elderly shoppers had been robbed of their purse.

Crimes reported so far involve one person approaching and distracting the victim by engaging them in conversation, while another takes the opportunity to steal a bag or purse.

The thieves were from different age groups and many had used children to help distract the victim.

She added: “These are truly despicable crimes, targeting elderly people in particular as they go about their shopping.

“We would urge shoppers to report such crimes to the police, should they fall victim to them.

"We are also keen to hear from members of the public who may have any further information with regards to the identities of those responsible and may have witnessed any of these crimes."

Contact Hamilton Police Office on 01698 483 338 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555