Police in Lancashire aim to nail a gang of "despicable" thieves who target elderly people in the street.
Detectives are working on the theory that there is a link between three separate street jewellery thefts from old folk in Lancaster and Preston in recent weeks.
The offences have each involved vulnerable victims who were approached while they were alone in the street, with the victim’s personal jewellery being stolen.
The thieves used a "distraction technique" draping the victims in cheap imitation jewellery whilst removing the jewellery they were wearing, leaving the scene with the victim's jewellery and leaving the imitations in place.
The first incident took place in Preston between 2.45pm and 3.45pm on Saturday 9th April when at least four offenders in a car have approached an 82 year old woman who was walking alone on Tower Lane in Fulwood.
A few days later on Monday 11th April police were alerted to two separate offences in Lancaster.
The first took place at 2.30pm when a 64-year-old local man was travelling along the pavement on his mobility scooter on Torrisholme Road, Lancaster.
Shortly afterwards, around 2.45pm on Monday 11th April a 76-year-old woman was approached as she walked along the city's busy Owen Road.
All three offenders are described as being of an Asian or Romanian appearance
PC Dylan Hrynkow from Lancaster Police said: “This is a despicable crime and many of the victims involved in these crimes have lost jewellery with huge sentimental value.
"From various witnesses we believe the vehicle involved in the offences maybe an old style 7 series BMW and I would urge anybody with any information that could assist with our investigation to contact police.
“I would also encourage anybody that has been a victim of such a crime that hasn’t reported it to police to come forward."
Anyone with information should contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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