Surrey Police is reminding residents to be vigilant following several distraction thefts in supermarket car parks.

Over the past month several thefts have been reported to officers where an offender approaches a victim , usually near a cash machine, and tells them they have dropped a ten pound note insisting they take it back. The offender then steals a bank card when the victim opens there wallet.

The areas affected include:

·         Morrisons car park in Reigate

·         Morrisons car park on East Hill in Oxted

·         Outside Tesco on Oxshott Road in Leatherhead

·         Sainsbury’s on Leatherhead High Street

Investigating officer Detective Constable Errol Chetty, said: "I would urge people to remain vigilant and to simply walk away if someone approaches you suggesting you have dropped money which you know you haven’t.

"I would also ask people to look out for the most vulnerable members of our society as they may be targeted more by such offenders.”

On each occasion the offenders have been a white woman and a white man both speaking with a Eastern European accent.

Anyone who has information on these thefts is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference RB/13/1788 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.