POLICE are urging the public to be on their guard following a distraction theft outside Lidl in Cirencester.

A white man, possibly East European, asked a woman for directions to the town centre shortly after 3pm on November 10.

He was of medium height, reasonably dressed, black-haired, and in his late twenties.

Three of the victim’s cards are believed to have been stolen at this point from her purse which was in a shopping trolley.

The offender then attempted to use her card at various cash-points.

Police are reminding the public to be on guard against such distractions and always keep an eye on possessions, bags and credit cards.

PC Annabel Brittain said: "Don’t let your trusting nature be exploited by becoming a victim while you try and help someone.

"Don’t let your valuables out of your sight even for a moment and always shield your PIN. You don’t have to have someone looking over your shoulder to get it, having stolen your card they can then use it to drain your account before you even realise it’s gone”.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 244 of 12 November.