Police hunt 'Rolex robbers' posing as charity workers to steal luxury watches

  • Report from ITV Meridian's Derek Johnson

Detectives are hunting two women who have been stealing tens of thousands of pounds of luxury watches while posing as charity workers in Hampshire, Dorset and Sussex.

The women, who have been described by victims as being Eastern European, have been targeting older men in the street, and trying to distract them in order to snatch the watches off their wrists.

The offenders have been stealing luxury watches like this one

Dorset Police have now released CCTV images of two women they want to speak to and a vehicle they are looking to trace.Between 12.30pm and 1pm on Tuesday 21 September 2021 a man aged in his 90s was approached by two women in Links Road.

Detectives want to speak to these two women in connection with their investigation Credit: Dorset Police

One of the women had a clipboard and was asking the man to sign a petition for a charity. After he signed it, the woman pulled the victim in for a hug and they then left the scene.A few minutes later the man discovered his watch was missing. 

Alan Bruce from Wimborne in Dorset had a similar experience and he believes the two women pictured are the two people who stole his £14,000 Rolex. The watch has still not been recovered.

  • Alan Bruce

Detective Sergeant Karen Penn, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “We have been carrying out enquiries into this incident, which is being linked to a series of similar Rolex thefts in the area.

“As part of our investigation, we have obtained images of the female suspects and the car they were seen to get into following the incident.

“I appreciate the images are not great quality, but I am hopeful they may help jog someone’s memory and I would urge anyone with information to please contact us.

“The women involved are described as Eastern European and I would like to take this opportunity to urge people to remain vigilant if they are approached in similar circumstances, particularly if you are wearing a high value watch or item of jewellery.”

Police are looking for this woman in connection with their investigation Credit: Dorset Police

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210152820.

Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.