Nottinghamshire Police have issued an image of a woman they want to speak to after three separate incidents in Mansfield and Mapperley. Detectives have linked the three incidents and say that the woman in the photo “may have been involved” and want her to get in touch with them.
All three incidents happened on 8 March. It began at 2.32 pm in Thorncliffe Road, Mapperley Park. Police say that a “con woman” gained access into a house after asking the 98 year old homeowner for help. Once inside, the suspect repeatedly called the pensioner “grandma” before eventually leaving after searching the house for valuables.
The suspect went immediately to a neighbouring property and gained access by asking for the number for a taxi. The homeowner, a woman in her 70s, tried to close the door but the suspect forced her way inside. She ran away when she realised that other people were in the property.
Later that day, the same woman targeted “a vulnerable man” at Mansfield railway station. She told him that she didn’t have enough money for a ticket and persuaded the man to go to a cashpoint. She stole £50 from the man as well as the man’s wallet. She used the payment cards from the wallet to spend a further £150.
“Over the course of one day, the same woman made multiple attempts to trick people and then steal from them”, Detective Constable James Lunt said. “On each occasion, she targeted good-natured members of the public by asking them for help, and at one stage tried to confuse a 98 year old woman by pretending to be her granddaughter.
“As you can imagine, each of the victims were left very distressed by what happened, so we’re determined to track down the woman responsible, as these actions were completely unacceptable.
“We believe the woman in these pictures may have been involved, so we’d ask her, if she sees this, to do the right thing and contact the police.” The police are also asking anybody who recognises the woman, or has other information, to contact them by dialling 101 and quoting incident 450 of 8 March 2024. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
