Witness appeal following series of thefts in Southampton city centre

We are aware of a series of thefts in the city centre which involve a man approaching members of the public, asking for change for a £20 note which then turn out to be fakes.

The latest incident happened at around 11.50am on Friday (13 May) in Bargate Street, involving a woman in her 90s.

On Tuesday last week (10 May), a similar incident took place in Bargate Shopping Centre between 12.30pm and 1pm, when a man approached another man in his 80s asking for change.

After the victim identified the notes the man was looking to exchange were fake the man stole his wallet before fleeing the scene towards Portland Terrace.

Officers are following up several lines of enquiry to find the man.

He is described as:

-White

-5ft 9ins tall

-In his late 20s or early 30s

-Stubble and a grade-1 buzz cut

-Wearing a navy blue jacket with a logo on the left breast and dark trousers

-Speaking in a local accent

Inspector Charlie Ilderton from Southampton Central Neighbourhoods Policing Team said: “This incident caused understandable concern to the victims and we are following up several lines of enquiry to locate the man involved.

“We are linking this incident to a series of thefts in the city centre, where a man has approached members of the public asking for change for a £20 note which then turn out to be fakes, or to take the money before handing over the note.

“We’d urge members of the public to be aware of this when they are out and about, and to report any crimes to us, calling 999 if it is in action.”

Did you see what happened? Do you have mobile phone footage of the incident? Do you know the man involved?

Please contact us on 101 or report online, quoting 44220183965.