Police are urging shop workers to be vigilant after a series of distraction thefts in Sidmouth and Beer.
In Sidmouth, an employee was distracted by a man asking if a parcel had been left for him – the theft occurred when the shop worker left the shop floor to check.
In Beer, a man asked staff to look for a walking stick in the store room which his mother had left behind.
When they returned, money had been stolen from the till.
The man was described as white, in his late 20s, six foot tall with gingery short hair and wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101@dc.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting CR/061305/17 (Beer) or log number 340 of 24/07/2017 (Sidmouth).
Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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