Thieves have been targetting shoppers in supermarkets in Bracknell by using distraction techniques.

Thames Valley Police has had multiple reports of thieves targetting their victim by distracting them by talking, while another thief quickly steals their handbag or wallet from their car.

Police are classing this crime as 'supermarket car park distraction thieves'.

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Thieves have been preying on shoppers who enter a store with a handbag, purse or wallet. They follow the victim through the store and stay close by as they watch them enter their PIN number and pay at the till.

Having obtained the PIN number, two or more of the thieves follow the victim and wait until they have loaded their shopping and handbag into their car.

They then make their move by distracting the victim in conversation about damage being done to their car while another thief quietly opens the door and steals their bag.

Thames Valley Police posted a message, which said: "During the past week fraudsters have been back in town targeting supermarket shoppers, who used either a Credit or Debit card to make payments by way of entering a 4 digit PIN at the point of sale.

"The offenders sometimes appear to be on their own but are likely to be working in small teams.

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"They target lone female supermarket shoppers, taking note of the PIN as the victim taps it into the keypad at the till. They then follow the victim out into the car park where they wait until the shopping has been loaded and the victim has got into her car at which point one offender will knock on the driver’s side window claiming to want to show the victim some damage they saw been caused to her car.

"As the victim steps out of her car, another offender opens a car door and steals the victim’s handbag.

"The offenders having both the pin and the victims cards then withdraw cash from an ATM or purchase goods from stores or online, all before the victim is aware of the theft."

A warning has been issued to prevent these type of thefts from happening again.

Residents are reminded not to let people see their PIN number.

Never write your PIN down, and never say your PIN out loud, to anyone.