Do you recognise these people?

Officers in North Herts have released images of three people they would like to speak to in connection with a fraud offence.

The incident happened at around 11am on Tuesday 14 June in Hitchin.

An elderly man appears to have been watched whilst withdrawing cash from a cash machine. He has then been stopped by a woman in an alleyway nearby, who has convinced him that he has dropped a £10 note and encouraged him to get his wallet out.

Whilst 'helping' him to check if it was his cash, his bank card has been removed and then been used to withdraw more than £2,000 at Barclays and HSBC on the corner of the Market Square in Hitchin.

Investigating officer PC Jordan Quicke said: "We think the people pictured were in the area at the time and could have information that will help our investigation. If you think you recognise them, please get in touch as soon as possible.

"We have recently seen an increase in reports of this type of distraction theft and I would urge people to be on their guard and to report any suspicious activity immediately. It appears to be the elderly who are being targeted in particular."

Anyone with information is asked to please email [email protected] . 

You can also report information online at www.herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in their Force Communications Room via their online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/47158/22.