POLICE are warning people, especially the elderly, to be on alert after a spate of distraction thefts in Melksham.

The warning comes off the back of the latest incident on Tuesday, March 22, when a woman and a man approached an elderly lady sitting in her car in Waitrose car park at around midday.

Police believe the pensioner had been followed from the tills before they approached her, placing a map over her bag to ask for directions. Nothing was taken in the attempted theft as the woman grew suspicious and phoned the police.

PC Barry Dalton said: “We have had a couple of reports within the last few weeks where elderly females have been targeted.

“Please take care when using cash and make sure that you are not being watched as you are taking it out of the cash machine.”

If anyone spots anything suspicious contact Wiltshire Police on 101.