Two sentenced for distraction thefts across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Bogdan Vranceanu, 31, was sentenced on Monday 7 November 2016 at Telford Magistrates' Court to 24 weeks in prison, after pleading guilty to five counts of theft. He is already serving a prison sentence of 24 weeks after pleading guilty to four counts of theft at Telford Magistrates' Court on 28 September 2016.

Atena Calin, 20, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, after pleading guilty to five counts of theft. She is already serving a prison sentence of 12 weeks after pleading guilty to three counts of theft at Telford Magistrates' Court on 28 September 2016.

Between 13 September and 26 September this year, 10 people had purses stolen, while shopping in supermarkets in Shrewsbury, Malvern, Droitwich, Leominster, Kidderminster, Evesham and Hereford.

In most cases Calin would distract victims by making conversation; Vranceanu would cover the handbag with an item from the shops, including a magazine, pizza and a loaf of bread, while stealing the purse.

The pair were stopped by police on the M54, heading towards Birmingham, on 26 September, arrested and taken into police custody.

Detective Sergeant Julie Shephard, said: "Vranceanu and Calin are skilled fraudsters. Well versed in deception, they managed to distract their victims and steal purses containing money and bank cards, loyalty and membership cards, driving licences and some personal photographs. They carefully planned these thefts, targeting different areas in an attempt not to be detected. We will be working with the Immigration Service around their deportation to Romania once their sentences have been served.

"It should be safe for us to go shopping and about our daily business, but the reality is there are people looking to take advantage, it only takes seconds for them to strike and they are gone before you even realise anything is missing."