$4000 Stolen In Distraction Theft

A man's had four thousand dollars stolen from him in a distraction theft in Chichester city centre.

The theft happened at lunchtime on Wednesday 4 May, when the 52-year-old man entered Clinton's Cards in East Street just before 2pm with the cash in an envelope in an inside jacket pocket after withdrawing it from Barclays Bank nearby.

A woman came up to him in the shop, handed him a tissue and pointed at his back, saying he had paint on him.

This made him turn round and take his leather jacket off, only to discover that some make-up had been put on his jacket and trousers.

After he took his jacket off he realised that the envelope had gone.

The woman was with another woman, both aged in their 50s, and a man, all of whom were described as being of Asian appearance.

A Sussex Police spokesman said:

"This type of distraction theft is very infrequent but we remind people to be aware of the potential for such offences, especially in busy places."

Anyone who saw the trio in Chichester on Wednesday is asked to contact Sussex Police via 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 0855 of 4 May.