Surrey Police is appealing for witnesses following two distraction style thefts in which motorists were targeted in supermarket car parks in Leatherhead and Oxted.

The first incident happened at 3.10pm on Tuesday, 23 February, as a lady was loading her car with shopping bags in Tesco Supermarket, car park Oxshott Road, Leatherhead, when she was beckoned by the driver of another vehicle.

A battered white vehicle parked in front of her car, blocking her exit, and the driver  asked the victim for directions to the nearest hospital. When the lady returned to her car she realised her purse containing a credit card and £60 in cash had been stolen. The cards were used 20 minutes later in an attempt to withdraw money from her credit card.

The first suspect is described as a white man, aged in his mid 30s, slim build with dark hair, brown eyes, face stubble. He had an eastern European accent with a scruffy appearance, he was wearing a black tracksuit jacket, blue shirt and jeans.

The second incident happened sometime between 12.00pm and 12.15pm on Thursday, 25 February, when a shopper returned to her car, parked in Morrisons, car park, East Hill, Oxted. A large silver car blocked her exit and the driver gestured to get the victim’s attention. When the lady approached the vehicle the driver asked for directions to the nearest hospital. The victim returned to her car and noticed her handbag had been disturbed and her credit and debit cards were missing. Only minutes later two withdrawals totalling £230 were made from her bank account.

The second suspect is described as a southern European man, middle aged, plump build with dark average length hair with a eastern European accent.

Investigating Officer PC Siobhan Gleeson said: "There have been a number of these distraction thefts in the area and on each occasion the same scenario has been used by the suspects.  The suspect has asked for directions to a hospital and used a map to further distract the victim, allowing time for items to be removed from their car.

"The type of cars used in each incident has been described as, either black, white or silver in colour.

"Clearly the suspects are targeting shoppers in the area that can be distracted away from their cars under the pretence of requesting help from their victims. It is so important shoppers do not get distracted when loading or unloading their vehicles and always keep your valuables securely locked away.

"We are looking into potential CCTV opportunities from Tesco and Morrisons car park which will hopefully show us the cars used in both incidents and those responsible for these thefts.

"I am asking people to think back and if you were in either of the supermarket car parks on those days please come forward and provide me with the information I need in order to bring the people responsible to justice."

Anyone with any information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference number MV/10/739 or TD/10/947 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.