Gang blamed for distraction thefts in Shoreham and Worthing

Since January there have been 23 distraction crimes, with supermarkets in Shoreham and Worthing among those targeted.

Police believe one gang could be responsible as the same method was used in 18 of the cases.

Victims are followed around the supermarket and watched when they use their debit or credit cards.

They are then approached and asked for directions to the nearest hospital.

While they show them the route on the map another suspect steals cards from the victim's car and withdrawals are made from a nearby cash machine.

Thefts

Another method is for a man to approach a victim claiming he has seen them drop 10.

When they check their wallets he steals cards.

The number of thefts has risen sharply with three in January, six in February and 14 in March. Sixteen have taken place in Tesco car parks.

The victims are predominantly middle-aged to elderly women with th