Tewkesbury: Distraction Suspects Sought

20 August 2014, 13:51 | Updated: 20 August 2014, 13:53

A CCTV image has been released, as police try to track down three men they would like to speak to about a distraction scam at a coffee bar in Tewkesbury.

It happened at the shop on the town's High Street on May 16th around 6.30pm. 

Police are referring to this incident as a 'ringing the changes' offence, whereby con artists appear to deliberately confuse staff by repeatedly asking their money to be changed into different denominations. 

Officers say the men are believed to look eastern European and that one of them hid the money behind his back when they left the premises.

They told the staff member they worked in an electrical store. 

One of the suspects was believed to be between 25 to 30 years old, about 5ft 8, wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and had short black hair and stubble. 

Meannwhile, officers are warning shop workers to be aware of further distraction scams. 

Anyone with information about the identity of these men is urged to call 101, quoting Crime number 12429/14 or to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously if preferred, on 0800 555 111.