SHOPPERS in Teignbridge have fallen victim to thieves targeting people making withdrawals from cashpoint machines in supermarket car parks.

Police have issued a general warning across the Devon and Cornwall area for the public, especially the elderly, to be on their guard as the gang’s takings rocket towards £10,000 and beyond.

Already victims have reported losses in Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey.

One of the first successful strikes was in the Tesco, Kingsteignton, superstore in Newton Road on January 27 at 2.40pm. On February 2 they pounced again in Sainsbury’s car park off Penn Inn, Newton Abbot.

Two days later the distraction thieves hit Bovey Tracey where they stole a motorist’s cash card in the library car park in Abbey Road. All the incidents happened in the afternoon.

A police spokesman said: ‘While the victims, in some cases elderly women, have purchased goods in a supermarket or used a cashpoint a suspect has watched them enter their Pin number.

‘When the victims have returned to their vehicles, they have been approached by someone asking for directions to the nearest hospital or similar location.

‘While the victim is being distracted, someone else has got into their vehicle and stolen their bank cards.’

He revealed that within a short space of time multiple transactions had been made at post offices and banks, often involving several thousands of pounds.

Some 15 such crimes have been reported since the end of January in the three Teignbridge locations and others across the force area including Crediton, Cullompton, Sidmouth, Totnes, Plymouth, Saltash, Bude and Liskeard.

Two men who stole from a victim in Cullompton were aged about 35 and of Eastern European origin.

One of the men was about 5ft 4ins tall, of average build with short mousey brown hair and some facial stubble.

The other man was about 6ft 1ins tall, of slim build with a shaved head and facial stubble. He was wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans.

Insp Jane Alford-Mole, geographic support inspector for Exeter, East and Mid-Devon, said: ‘We are encouraging shoppers, particularly elderly women, to be vigilant when using their Pin numbers in supermarkets.

‘Anyone who falls victim to an incident like this is asked to report it to police with as much detail as possible about the suspects, the vehicle they used and the registration number.

‘Victims are also advised to contact their bank immediately to cancel their cards.

‘Residents can be reassured that no violence has been used during any of the incidents but equally we want to ensure that there are no further victims.’

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or email [email protected], quoting reference CR/013907/16.