Hampshire Constabulary

Police in Portsmouth are warning the public to keep their belongings safe after three people have had their wallets or purses stolen in the city, all whilst either getting onto or travelling on buses.

The incidents have all happened in similar circumstances, and officers investigating are considering the possibility that they may be linked.

On Friday, June 27 at 4.30pm, an 84-year-old man was waiting for a bus outside of McDonalds restaurant on Commercial Road. As the bus arrived and then man moved to get on, the man in front of him fell back, causing the man to also fall back into the person behind him.

Following the disturbance both men left the queue. The man found later that his wallet had gone, containing £75 in cash as well as personal cards.

On Saturday, June 28 at 12.30pm, an 86-year-old man was getting onto a bus, again on Commercial Road, when the person in front of him turned to leave the queue. This caused the man to stumble back into the person behind him.

The man’s wallet was taken containing £150 in cash, along with his driving licence.

Later on Saturday, at 4pm, an 85-year-old man caught a bus in Edinburgh Road and was travelling to North End. Whilst on the bus a man brushed against him and apologised before getting off of the bus.

When the man got off at his destination he found £40 had been taken from his pocket.

PC Leigh Waller said, “We are advising people to be aware of their personal belongings at all times, and especially in crowded places such as when using public transport. The dates and locations of these incidents are close together and so they may well be linked, and by taking care that your items are safe at all times you can help ensure that this does not happen to you.

”The people responsible for these offences are callous individuals and need to be identified as soon as possible, so if you have heard or seen anything that may assist us in this investigation please contact the police.”