Thieves use noxious substance to prey on elderly in Epsom and Dorking

Last Thursday a man, in his 90s, discovered the noxious brown substance on the back of his head immediately after withdrawing £1,000 from Barclays bank in Epsom High Street at 11.30am on Thursday.

The man sat down to have a rest on a seat in the Ashley Centre and two women offered to help him get rid of the substance. It was only later that he realised his money had been stolen.

The previous day, Wednesday, December 3, a similar thing happened to a woman in her 70s in Dorking.

She had withdrawn £1,000 from Barclays bank in Dorking High Street.

As she walked away across Sainsbury’s car park, she noticed a smelly, yellow substance on the back of her jacket.

Two Asian women, dressed in dark clothes, came up and acted in an animated fashion. Police believe they were distracting her while stealing her money.

One woman was in her early 50s, about 5ft 1ins, stocky and wore glasses and a black fur trimmed hat. The other woman was about 30-years-old, about 5ft 3ins and slim.

Detective Constable Errol Chetty said: "Preying on vulnerable members of society is an inexcusable and several teams are working together and liaising with neighbouring forces to identify those responsible for these offences.

"I would urge members of the public to be vigilant when visiting banks and other places where money can be withdrawn to report any suspicious behaviour to staff.

"I ask anyone who has an elderly relative, neighbour or friend to if possible, go with them if they are going to be making a large withdrawal.

"It may be that other people have been a victim of these distraction thefts, but for whatever reason, have not yet reported this to the police, I urge these people to come forward as we need to gather as much information on these offences as possible."

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference 45140102501.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11.