CCTV images caught the moment a band of thieves stole a woman’s bag by tricking her.
The elderly woman could be seen walking along the pavement in Brandon Street, Leicester, carrying a white and green carrier bag. A group of men, all wearing baseball caps and dark clothing, were walking along the opposite side of the road before approaching her.
One of them came across the road and began to walk behind her. He takes a piece of paper from his pocket and hands it to the woman, who police say was in her 70s.
He chats with her briefly, before pointing to the floor, at which point she stops to pick something up.
The thug then takes something else from his pocket, and coins can be seen falling to the floor.
As soon as she looked down, he looks to his right, appearing to signal to another one of the gang to come and join them.
After seeming to check if the coast is clear, the group puts the final part of their plan into action.
While one man distracts the woman, the other cuts into her carrier bag, pulling out a red handbag.
He holds it close to his chest and quickly makes his exit. He is quickly followed by the other thief.
According to the timestamp on the footage, the theft appears to have taken place on February 16.
Sharing the clip to X, user @JIX5A said: “This horrid group of distraction thieves, are targeting the elderly and vulnerable, in the Belgrave Road, Melton Road area of Leicester. This footage is from Brandon Street just off of Belgrave Road.
“Stay safe out there folks and please make your parents grandparents answer uncles aware of this.”
A Leicestershire police spokesperson said: “An investigation is continuing following a report of theft in East Leicester.
“Shortly before 1pm last Friday (February 16) a report was received stating a quantity of cash had been taken from a bag being carried by woman in her 70s in Brandon Street.
“The woman was not injured. No arrests have been made.”
