Norfolk Police issue warning after purse and wallet thefts in Diss, Long Stratton, Pulham St Mary and Wymondham

A series of purse and wallet thefts in South Norfolk has prompted officers to urge the public to remain vigilant.

A total of five incidents, between November 7 and 15, have occurred with members of the public having their wallets or purses stolen while at their workplace by someone believed to be an external party.

These incidents have taken place in Diss, Long Stratton, Pulham St Mary and Wymondham.

On all occasions the suspect/s have then called the victims, claiming to either be from the bank’s ‘fraud team’ or a police officer. During the call they asked for details, including pin numbers, in order to gain access to the stolen bank cards.

In the statement from Norfolk Police, it said: “The public are reminded that banks and the police will NEVER ask for personal or security information, such as account or PIN numbers, and you are urged to not give out these details to anybody over the phone.

Additional guidance from officers includes asking for identification numbers if someone calling claims to be a police officer and ensure you can hear a dialling tone before calling police or use a friend or neighbour's telephone – as fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ringtones down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number.

Officers also said if you have given out information which could compromise your bank account security in any way, call your bank to cancel your cards as soon as possible and limit access to valuable belongings, especially when they are not on your person, by keeping them in a secure location, locked away if possible.

If you have any information that could assist the investigation into the recent series of thefts, please contact PC Heather Field at Long Stratton Police Station on 101 or by emailing Heather.Field@norfolk.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.