Nine people arrested in connection with Wiltshire 'charity worker' thefts
A woman in her 80's was targeted in Salisbury
Nine people have been arrested after being linked to a string of thefts across Wiltshire.
Three females have been charged with conspiracy to steal with the remaining six released on bail, pending further inquiries.
Posing as charity workers, groups of women distracted elderly women to steal jewellery and cash after lulling their victims into a false sense of security.
One incident happened on March 1st in Salisbury's Waitrose car park, where a woman in her 80’s was duped into handing over a small amount of cash before her necklace was also stolen when one of her assailants gave her a hug.
The arrests were made on Tuesday evening (7th March) in Slough in Berkshire to make nine arrests.
Eight people from Slough, including four women in their 20s, three men in their 20s, and a 17-year-old male from Slough, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
A man in his 20s from Birmingham was also arrested.
Several items of jewellery, a large amount of cash and two vehicles were also seized.
Three females from Slough have now been charged with conspiracy to steal that related to thefts, burglaries and robberies in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Essex, and have been remanded in custody.
The other six have all been bailed while our enquiries continue.
Superintendent Ben Mant said:
“Wiltshire Police will never tolerate this type of offending where some of the most vulnerable members of our community are targeted for their valuables.
“The incidents have had a lasting impact on the victims, breaching their trust and in the case of burglaries, invading their sense of security in the place where they should feel safest.”