UNSUSPECTING Bordon shoppers are being told to keep a close eye their valuables by police after a spate of handbag and wallet thefts. Whitehill Police are closing the net on a gang of thieves after supermarket shoppers were targeted in Bordon and Petersfield in a crime spree throughout February. Supermarket-goers in both towns have fallen victim to thieves, who have snatched bank cards and cash from bags and purses. "Over the last four weeks, there have been a number of purse thefts from handbags in supermarkets in Petersfield and the Whitehill/ Bordon area. We are possibly looking at up to 10 or so incidents over the last four weeks and we believe it is the same group responsible for them due to the number of similarities," explained Whitehill's Inspector Laurie Rickwood. He added: "The theives are removing credit cards and cash from the purses and leaving the bags outside the stores. They are using the credit and debit cards, to obtain cash and for purchases," said Insp Rickwood. He told The Herald that one Bordon victim was duped into giving out personal banking details in order to steal his money. He said that the elderly gentleman was called by the thieves who took his credit card details, claiming to be from the bank and emptied his bank account after they got his pin number. Insp Rickwood called for local residents to be wary of such devious stunts, adding that no bank staff would ever ask for a customer's pin number. "People can be gullible. There are some people in society who take things at face value and give thieves what they need," he said. Insp Rickwood said that people who have had their bags or wallets stolen should report the theft immediately. "People are leaving pin numbers in bags and purses. They must ensure that they don't make life easy for the thieves. "Don't leave bags on shopping trollies, keep it close to your person and don't disclose personal bank information if you have lost your cards," warned Insp. Rickwood. Jim Harper, Tesco compliance manager, said that the store has now upgraded security and has more managers patrolling the shop floor at busier times of the day. "We have also upgraded our CCTV cameras and we are more vigilant on the shop floor," said Mr Harper. He added: "We stopped two thefts this week and the situation is definitely more under control." Speaking about the upgraded CCTV Mr Harper said: "We are now able to zoom in and identify people a lot more easily." He said the store would also soon have plain clothes security operating at different times. He explained that in addition, the security guards at the front of the shop were also watching the cashpoint and there is now more CCTV coverage there, too. "Chip and pin is proving a more secure method and a deterrent for thieves," Mr Harper said. Alexandra Da Silva, duty manager at Co-op, on Chalet Hill, explained that shoplifting and people trying to use stolen cards has always been a problem but that they have had a couple of recent successes. She said: "One lady came in three times and tried to get cash with stolen cards. She was caught and had a lot of stolen goods and cards in the boot of her car. "We also have a lot of people trying to pay with fake notes." She said although this kind of crime has always been a problem in the store, they now work more closely with the police and the use of CCTV mean more people are getting caught. Anyone who has any informatio, which could help Whitehill police with their enquiries should contact them on 0845 045 4545.
