Police hunt for 'serial thief who used scarf to steal phones'

Police want to speak to a woman, pictured above at the No 10 Ale House, St Annes, on August 24, in connection with thefts from multiple establishments in Lytham and St Annes.

A police spokesman said: "This unknown female may be travelling around St Annes and Lytham, conducting distraction thefts in numerous establishments and always leaving with mobile phones that are left on bar tables and desks. We advise people to be vigilant of their property and not leave phones lying around on tables."

Officers were called to the No 10 Ale House at around 6pm on August 24 to reports that a mobile phone had been stolen.

"She has gone in pretending to be begging. She has spoken to a customer and in the process has managed to take the phone off a table," a spokesman said. "She has used a distraction technique to cover the phone with a scarf and walk out with it."

He added that there had been a lot of reports of similar thefts in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to email [email protected], or report online to www.doitonline.lancashire.police.uk using the crime number WA1820405.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.