Officers are appealing for information and issuing a warning to women in the city after necklaces were stolen from around the neck of a 73-year-old woman.
Just after 10am today (Friday, October7), the woman was walking down Oxford Road, near to the junction with Lodge Road.
She was approached by two women who asked for directions to the hospital, saying their mother was ill. They then tried to place jewellery around the woman’s neck and wrist.
The woman refused to try on their jewellery. They initially persisted in getting the items on her and then took them off, walking away.
The woman realised they had taken their own jewellery, as well as three valuable 22 carat gold chains she had been wearing:
- 16 inches long, thick links in a diamond shape, valued at around £500
- around 18 inches long, two gold chains twisted together in a style sometimes known as ‘disco’, valued at around £500
- 24 inches long, with a rectangular pendant that has arabic writing on it, valued at around £600
The two women have been described as possibly being from Romania.
PC Jim Dineen said, “This is one of a number of similar reports in the Southampton area recently, all of which target women who are elderly or vulnerable. I would urge residents to speak to your friends and relatives to warn them against engaging with strangers offering jewellery. Anyone who may have seen the jewellery for sale or has any information about the people responsible should contact police as soon as possible.
Can you help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Dineen at Portswood police station on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 0845 045 45 45. To contact an officer please use our Contact an Officer Form
