Police warning after thieves pose as tourists

Police warned shoppers to keep their valuables safe

Police have warned of pickpockets posing as tourists in a busy city centre in the run-up to Christmas.

Both plain-clothed and uniformed officers will take to the streets of Cambridge over the weekend to target those attempting to steal mobile phones, wallets and purses from pockets and bags.

Cambridgeshire Police said last Saturday they received 17 reports of mobile phones being stolen within a three-hour period.

Insp Ed McNeill said: "We know it's a prime time for opportunist thieves to strike and therefore we too will be out in force."

PC Chris McLoughlin warned people to be wary of distraction techniques

PC Chris McLoughlin, who has been patrolling the Market Square area of Cambridge, said thieves using distraction techniques was common-place, including posing as tourists.

"They'll be putting a map down on a table, over people's goods, lift the map, lift the phone - and it's gone," he said.

He also warned about "organised gangs" who spot people using high-end phones to pay for purchases in shops and then "follow that person and relieve them of that - effectively steal it".

He said while Cambridge was "generally a very safe place", such thefts were a pattern being repeated across the UK.

"It only takes a matter of seconds for it to occur," he added.

Police said the best ways to guard against pickpockets were to remain vigilant and keep your valuables zipped up and out of sight.

Extra police are on duty in Cambridge over the weekend