A GANG of con artists are targeting elderly people for their jewellery.
The group of Eastern Europeans have been operating in Huddersfield, but are reported to have struck in other parts of West Yorkshire as well.
This is an emerging crime trend and we are urging people to be on their guard.
The most recent offence happened on New Hey Road, Salendine Nook, on the afternoon of March 1.
An elderly woman was walking past a black Mercedes C220 CDI – with the registration number W402 RLD – when a man called her over to the car and asked her if she wanted to buy a chain.
She refused, but as she was walking away a woman got out of the car and badgered her in an attempt to convince her to pay £1 for the chain.
The woman reached into her bag to get a £1 coin and the suspect put the cheap gold chain around her neck.
The woman again said she did not want the chain, at which point the suspect took the woman’s own expensive chain instead.
The victim tried to stop the theft and in doing so suffered a slight injury to her finger, but the woman got away with the necklace and jumped into the car, which drove off.
Thankfully the elderly victim did not suffer any serious injury as a result of the robbery, but she was lucky to have been relatively unhurt.
These offenders show no compassion or care for their victims and the potential for an elderly victim to be pulled over and seriously hurt is highly possible.
We are unable to give out any descriptions at this time, but several lines of enquiry are being pursued as a priority to locate and arrest those responsible.
I would ask that the public remain vigilant and if they see anyone acting suspiciously who might be connected with this type of offence then please ring 999 immediately.
