POLICE have issued a warning urging people to remain vigilant following reports of a specific kind of jewellery theft in town centres across Suffolk.

A 67-year-old woman had her necklace stolen outside Morrisons in Beccles about 5.15pm last Thursday, December 9. She had been approached by a young woman who was trying to sell her jewellery, who placed necklaces around her neck and put items of jewellery in her hand.

The pensioner said that she did not want any and at this stage a shop worker intervened and told the younger woman to leave. A short time later the woman realised that her own necklace that she had originally been wearing had been taken.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: 'There have been five other similar offences to this recorded in Ipswich and Lowestoft during the last few weeks, where offenders have also pretended to be trying to sell items by placing them around people's necks. When the victim says they do not want to buy anything the jewellery is taken back but the victim's own jewellery is also stolen.'

Officers are urging anyone who is approached in a similar manner to call police immediately, using 999, if you suspect you may have been a victim of a theft.

Anyone with information in relation to these incidents should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.