CCTV issued after elderly man has money stolen in Winchester

We’re issuing a CCTV image of two men we’d like to speak to after a 74-year-old man had £3000 stolen from him in Winchester on 5 July.

The elderly man had just withdrawn the cash from Nationwide; he had the money in an envelope in his pocket.

It is believed that two Eastern European men saw the man withdraw the cash and targeted him.

The victim was looking in the window of Donna Laine Jewellers, in Parchment St, at about 3pm when one of the men was seen to put a jacket over his shoulder and, from the bottom of it, dipped his hand in to the victim’s pocket.

The suspects also attempted to distract the victim in conversation.

The suspects are described as:

Male one

• White
• About 25-35-years-old
• Stocky
• Short, dark, receding hard
• He was wearing jeans, a dark-coloured polo shirt, full beard, sunglasses on his head and was carrying a blue bag

Male two

• White
• 25-35-years-old
• Stock
• Light brown, thinning / receding hair
• He was wearing a light-blue button shirt, jeans, brown shoes and was carrying a black bag

We’d like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or recognises the men from the CCTV or the descriptions given.

We’d also encourage people to follow our crime prevention advice below or visit our website https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/theft-from-a-person/pickpocketing/

• Do keep purses and bags closed and secure at all times
• Do carry bags in front of you or diagonally across your chest
• Do return cards to your purse or wallet quickly and zip it up or button it
• Do use a purse that’s difficult to open. One that zips or snaps shut is best, and keep it closed
• Do use a money belt if you’re carrying a significant quantity of cash
• Do conceal your wallet in a buttoned or zipped pocket where it doesn’t bulge
• Do keep a list, separate from your wallet and phone, of contact numbers of family in case your phone is stolen
• Do keep a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport, credit cards and any other documents that would be impossible or inconvenient to replace if stolen
• Don’t hang stuff on the back of a chair
• Don’t leave anything on the back of a pushchair
• Don’t place your belongings out of sight on the floor