POLICE are warning residents to "be aware" of distraction thefts, after an elderly woman had cash stolen while she was collecting her pension.

The victim was at the Post Office, in Victoria Square, Droitwich, when a thief stole a bag of £2 coins she had put on the counter.

The offender - a woman - had approached the victim, asking her if a pen on the counter was hers. When the pen fell on the floor, the victim was distracted and the thief stole the cash.

On the same day, Tuesday, January 24, another distraction theft took place in Droitwich between 10.45am and 11.30am.

A woman, who had been shopping at Waitrose in Saltway, had her debit card stolen after a woman approached her asking for directions to Bromsgrove.

She later found the card had been used to withdraw cash.

Sergeant Sarah Kent, of Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "My advice to to be aware that this type of offence does take place and to be suspicious of people approaching you with questions which seem unusual or out of context.

"Sometimes they will get very close to you by showing you a map or other paper which is used to obstruct your view of what they're doing.

"Always be aware of the location of your hand bag and keep it closed at all times. Also, when you use cards to pay for items in shops use 'chip and pin' where available and at other times make sure no-one can see your PIN number when you use it."

Sgt Kent reassured residents that distraction thefts are "not common" in Droitwich, but said when they do happen there tends to be more than one offence in the same day.

The offence in the Post Office took place between 11.30am and 11.45am. The thief is described as having long hair, of slim build, and was smartly dressed, wearing a blue/turquoise colour coat.

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting incident number 0495S010217.