Police Scotland issues warning over spate of distraction thefts across Tayside
There have been a number of similar incidents in Dundee and Angus in the last week
Last updated 12th Mar 2018
Officers in Dundee and Montrose are investigating after a number of reports of distraction-type threats being committed in car parks.
Elderly people are being approached and asked for change of a ÂŁ1 coin and while they look for it, thieves are taking their bank cards, money and any other belongings they can get their hands on.
A number of incidents have been reported at car parks at Ninelwells Hospital and two supermarkets in Dundee on Thursday and Friday, and at a supermarket in Monstrose also on Friday.
The person responsible is being described as an eastern European female, although police are not confirming it is the same person responsible for each incident.
A police spokesperson said: "Our advice is not to engage with anyone you are unsure of if you are approached in a car park.
"If you are asked for change, it is not rude or impolite to decline, and do not feel pressured into doing so.
"There is a possibility that there have been more incidents of this nature that we have not been informed of, and we would ask anyone who has been a victim of this type of crime in the past two weeks or so to please get in touch with us by calling 101".